A FEMALE swan was shot six times in the neck with an airgun as she protected her signets.

The injured bird is believed to be part of the same family featured in the Pioneer earlier this year when the male began attacking Boat Museum staff for going too near the nest.

On Monday evening an RSPCA inspector was called out to the Shropshire Union Canal near Stanney Mill Lane after residents reported seeing a swan with blood streaming down her face and chest.

The bird was rushed to the RSPCA's wildlife centre at Stapeley, near Nantwich, where vets performed emergency surgery.

She is now recovering but her condition is still described as critical.

RSPCA Inspector Fred Armstrong said: 'She was found near the canal with six air rifle pellet injuries to her neck.

'It looked like someone had taken aim from close range and intended to do serious damage.

'We rescued the bird and her signets and took them to the RSPCA hospital.

'Fortunately, no harm was done to the signets but the female swan was in a very serious condition.'

Back in April, we featured the story of a family of swans who had taken up residence on the Shropshire Union Canal close to the Boat Museum.

The male, named Sammy by museum staff, began attacking them whenever they ventured close to the nest containing the signets.

The injured swan is thought to be the female of the family, which museum staff named Susie.