A SWAN shot in the neck with an air rifle was the result of council negligence, according to a nature reserve ranger.

The bird, which was found dead, floating on a lake at the former Park Hill Brickworks, Wombwell, is believed to have been shot by a group of youths seen earlier in the area.

Describing the swan as 'a pet', voluntary ranger, John Fitch, said that the area had not been maintained or protected by the council, even though they had received £50,000 to do so.

He said: "A couple of years ago the council were given a grant by Yorkshire Forward for the brickworks. "A meeting was held so local residents could suggest what they would like to see done with the money; we all agreed we would like to see the chimney maintained and signs put up.

"For some reason the council ignored the comments and they spent the money on maintaining the footpaths around the reserve - not what we wanted at all."

A spokesman for the council said: "Unfortunately nature reserve signs won’t be going up in the near future as the service is having to concentrate on other priorities for the time being. It is hoped that they will be able to put some up later in the year.

"Barnsley Council does not allow anyone to take any sort of gun onto any of its sites without prior permission and none has been given for Parkhill Nature Reserve.

"We would urge anyone seeing anyone on public land with a gun of any sort to call the police."