A swan was left unable to eat after a plastic bottle cap was stuck around its lower beak. 

The distressed swan was found in Lowestoft and the RSPCA is now warning people of the effects littering can have on animals. 

Shocking new statistics from the charity show that 10,483 calls were received about animals impacted by litter over 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Of that total, 164 of them were made in Suffolk and 248 in Norfolk. 

With an average of almost ten reports per day taken by the charity about animals found severely injured, trapped, mutilated, choked or even dead from carelessly discarded litter of all kinds, the RSPCA is urging people to do their bit to protect animals this year and get involved in Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean’s ‘Big Bag Challenge’, starting on Friday March 17. 

RSPCA scientific officer Evie Button said: "Our staff deal with thousands of incidents every year where animals have been impacted by litter - and what they are seeing is probably just the tip of the iceberg.

"Sadly, for every animal, we’re able to help there are probably many that go unseen, unreported and may even lose their lives. 

“Spring is an ideal time to go on a litter-pick because it's before the breeding season when young animals such as fox cubs start getting into trouble, and litter will be more visible in hedges before the vegetation really starts growing.

"That’s why we’re calling on the public to get involved in the Great British Spring Clean to help remove litter that may endanger animals.

“Animals who get their heads or necks stuck in litter can suffer severe injuries as they struggle to break free and can even suffocate, while others will slowly grow weaker and weaker as they try to hunt or find food or water."