A COLLECTION will be made this weekend in aid of the sanctuary that is caring for a swan injured in a shooting incident in Swindon.

The town was shocked when a male swan and a duck were shot dead and a female swan shot in the Old Town Gardens.

Regular dog walkers, who used to feed the swans and had enjoyed meeting them, are so impressed by the care given to the injured swan by Roger and Sue Hulbert at the South West Swan Sanctuary in Shrivenham Road that they have decided to hold a collection outside shops in Guildford Avenue this weekend.

The collectors will be raising money for the sanct-uary between 9.30am and about 2pm on Saturday.

They have been given permission for the collection by Swindon Council.

It has been organised by Linda Shand, 68, from Lawns, who said: "A number of people have been affected by this and when we heard about it we were speechless. The area is so much quieter without the swans there, and even the other birds seem subdued.

"But it is lovely to know that the female and the cygnets are being cared for."

Damien Penrose, 18, of Bath Road has admitted killing the swan, injuring a second bird, having a loaded air rifle in Lawn woods without permission and criminal damage. He will be sentenced by Swindon magistrates on December 4. A 15-year-old youth has also admitted identical charges except for criminal damage. He will be sentenced on November 26 by magistrates.