Swan takes shelter from Storm Franklin in Newbury underpass

It's not something you see everyday, a swan perched on the bottom of some steps of a town underpass.

But Dave Furey, who lives in Newbury, was taken by surprise when he was walking along the underpass by Sainsbury's last Sunday and spotted the bird trotting down the steps.

Mr Furey was on his way back to work at One Stop in the Market Place when he noticed the swan.

He said: "I was just walking through the underpass and stopped when I saw the bird coming the other way. When I got close he gave a little wiggle, but he didn't seem bothered."

The swan proceeded to settle in a sheltered bit at the bottom of the steps and Mr Furey took a couple of photos on his phone.

Mr Furey said: "I think it was sheltering from the wind. It didn't appear to be in distress, but it startled a few passersby while it just sat there."

If you do see a swan who may be disorientated or in distress the best thing to do is to contact Swan Support a swan rescue centre treating and caring for sick and injured swans within the Thames Valley and surrounding areas.