I WAS walking along Blackbrook Canal towards the Double Locks near the muck works one afternoon during the recent school holidays.

A group of four teenage lads were stood on the iron bridge and another two were circling the canal. They were seeking out better access to attack the swans with bricks.

The pen was sat on the nest whilst the cob was valiantly trying to put up some form of resistance, i.e. flapping, etc.

My first inclination was to challenge the lads but I thought better of it, being a solitary pensioner.

I had my mobile phone on me and wondered who I could call to summon assistance but first just walked on and did nothing.

Feeling guilty, I found a number for the Sankey Valley Ranger station but got no reply.

I called into the office some days later to enquire what I should do if a sinister situation arose again.

I was told I’d done the right thing by just walking way. A phone number for the police was given to me but I’m not expecting any active response.

In this age of CCTV, why can’t some system be installed to record any such activity so that these mindless idiots can be identified and prosecuted?

This might discourage other idiots and support the wellbeing and safety of the swans.

Name and address submitted