FRESH warnings have been made about littering alongside waterways after a swan was pictured making a nest from discarded rubbish.

Elizabeth Winkley Riding noticed the unusual nest close to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Cherry Tree, Blackburn.

Normally, swans create large nests made from dried grasses, assorted vegetation and sticks.

Ms Riding, who lives near the canal, said: “It’s so upsetting watching the swan pulling rubbish out of the canal to make her nest.

“I can’t understand why people throw rubbish anywhere apart from bins.

“I know there are none on the canal, but take it home with you.

“All our wildlife is suffering unnecessarily and it is really very sad.

“Perhaps communities could come together to clean up and help each other regularly to make our town a cleaner place.

“A swan should not have to make her nest from empty crisp packets, bottles and bubble wrap.”

Cllr Paul Marrow, who represents the Livesey with Pleasington ward on Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “I’m aware of this and there needs to be more bins where people come off the canal.

“I’d advise people to take their rubbish and not dump it.”

It comes after another resident raised concerns after spotting a swan making a similar nest along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Eanam last year.

A spokesman for the Canal & River Trust said: “We haven’t had any reports of specific littering incidents in the canal.

“Our teams are out and about regularly.

“They carry out litter-picking as part of maintenance tasks.

“We encourage everyone who uses our waterways to take responsibility for their litter and either keep hold of it until they come to the next bin or take it home with them," added the spokesman.

“We spend a lot of resources keeping the waterways clean and attractive and littering is not only an eyesore but can also be particularly harmful to wildlife.”