Vandals have been damaging swan nests along the canal which runs from Little Lever to Bury.

Damaged swans' eggs have been found and residents have reported that bricks have been thrown at the birds.

A local resident said: "People think it's some sort of sick joke to destroy the habitat.

"At Nob End people have been throwing bricks at the swans' eggs and destroying them.

"Further along the canal they have been bricking the swans and kicking the ducks back into the canal from the edges."

A spokeswoman from the Canal & River Trust said: "We are very saddened to hear about mindless vandals causing damage and distress to swans by the canal.

"Apart from being cruel to these beautiful birds, swans are actually protected by law, so injuring a swan could ultimately result in a charge of criminal damage.

"If a member of the public comes across an injured swan, the advice is not to approach the bird directly but to contact the RSPCA for help."