A couple were surprised to discover a swan in their small pond last night.

Steve Williams, of Turves, who is also the photographer for the Cambs Times, says his wife Jane noticed the new visitor when she returned home from a night with friends.

After 15 hours in the pond, the swan was rescued by RSPCA animal collection officer Amy Reiter and taken to the nearest river to be released.

Mr Williams said: “My wife got home at about 10.30pm last night and told me there’s a swan in the garden. I had a look and there was a big swan in the pond.

“I think it had come down in the fog. It was as happy as Larry in the pond.

“We’re nowhere near a river. We called the RSPCA because we were worried about it with the overhead cables.

“The officer checked the swan for injuries and gave it the all clear before taking it down to the river.”