Wildlife rescuers are appealing for donations in order to treat a cygnet with a deformed bill and seriously injured leg.

Leatherhead’s Wildlife Aid Foundation (WAF) saved the cygnet from a garden backing onto the Royal Automobile Club in Epsom this month.

A stranded swan and three cygnets had become trapped in a walled garden without access to water.

WAF founder Simon Cowell and his team arrived on the scene to find that one of the cygnets had a deformed bill. Further examination revealed serious injuries to its leg. Mr Cowell said: "It was heart-breaking for us to have to split up the family group by releasing the parent and two youngsters on a nearby lake whilst bringing this poor creature back to the hospital here at Randalls Farmhouse.

"But this cygnet would not have lasted long had it gone back to its natural habitat in this condition. The injuries to its face are too serious."

He added: "We are exploring all options for hopefully getting the cygnet's deformed bill and leg repaired.

"But it will be a complicated process, we need expert help from outside, and our patient will need a lot of treatment, care and love.

"We've all got our fingers crossed for his successful treatment and recovery but the surgical procedures are also going to be costly so if anyone can help by donating to our cygnet fund, then please, please help us. We need every penny."

To donate visit www.wildlifeaid.org.uk, call 01372 377332, or write to: The Wildlife Aid Foundation, Randalls Farmhouse, Randalls Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 0AL.