A SWAN has been rescued from the roof of a New Forest nursery - after mistaking the glass roof for water.

The bird became trapped on a glasshouse at Lymington's Otter Nurseries earlier this week.

A spokesperson from the garden centre said: "A flight of swans was passing overhead and moments later there was a loud crash.

"With late afternoon sunshine glinting off the glass the roof had the appearance of water, leading the swan to land on it by mistake. Fortunately, the glass is toughened.

"Swans need a long run up to take off and there was insufficient space - so this one became stuck."

Luckily, help soon arrived in the form of Anton Phillips, an animal rescue officer from the fire service.

Officers from the RSPCA also attended.

Mr Phillips coaxed the reluctant swan onto a lower roof, before the team used a special 'swan hoop' to lower it safely to the ground.

It then had space to take to the skies again.

The swan was none the worse for wear following its mishap, and was last seen flying into the sunset after its feathered friends.