Stanley Park lake reopens nearly two weeks after swan dies of suspected bird flu

A Blackpool Council spokesman said: "The cordon at Stanley Park lake has been lifted. Access to the lake had been restricted following a suspected case of avian flu ten days ago. Now that the isolation period has passed and there have been no further suspected cases the cordons were removed this morning. Thank you to everyone for their patience during this time."

A sick cygnet was taken from the park by the RSPCA on February 22, and later had to be put to sleep.

It was the second suspected outbreak of avian flu at the park in recent months. The deadly disease claimed the lives of nine of the park's swans in November last year, the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs confirmed.

The council closed off the lake as a precautionary measure while the rest of the swans were monitored.

An RSPCA spokesman said: "We attended Stanley Park in Blackpool on Monday, February 22, and rescued two sick swans. One of them had swallowed some discarded fishing line, but luckily, a vet was able to remove it and the RSPCA was able to return the swan uninjured to the lake.

"The second swan was unfortunately very sick and in an extremely poor condition and sadly, the kindest option was for this bird to be put to sleep. This incident has been reported to DEFRA and Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

"We will continue to monitor the situation and offer help where required."