Eastleigh anglers are being urged to take more care following the death of a duckling which swallowed a discarded fishing hook.

RSPCA officials were called to Lakeside Countryside Park after a member of the public came across the stricken bird which had got tangled up in a piece of fishing line.

Inspectors from the animal charity found it had a small angling weight hanging from its beak.

The bird was taken to a veterinary surgery where it was x-rayed and also found to have swallowed a hook.

An investigation revealed the hook had gone too far inside the creature's body and nothing could be done to save the distressed bird.

RSPCA officer Karen Gregor said: "Unfortunately we are coming across incidents like this on a depressingly regular basis. The frustrating thing is that the majority of them are avoidable if anglers took more care to keep their local pond or lake clean.

"It really is a menace to wildlife. We are doing our best to get to grips with the problem but rely on people in the community to help us."

The spokesperson added: "Swans, ducks, geese, gulls, moorhens and coots are the worst affected by the discarded fishing litter.

"Many receive serious or fatal injuries from swallowing hooks and weights while others die from the shock of trying to free themselves from the line."

An Eastleigh council spokesman said: "Unfortunately the problems caused to wildlife as a result of discarded line and tackle are a regular threat at all our angling sites."

At Lakeside there were signs warning anglers of the dangers of not clearing up, he said.

Regular patrols took place and a bailiff made sure the banks of the water were kept free of litter and discarded tackle.

The borough also promoted responsible angling through local fishing clubs.

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