Only anglers who have had special training may be allowed to fish Newent Lake following the death of the last swan at the beauty spot.

The female bird was found attached to fishing line and dragging the top section of a rod behind her.

Mayor Fred Passant said: "Steps will need to be taken, such as restricting fishing to people with training. Newent Angling Club is looking into this now."

Training could help anglers to know what to do when swans are close by.

The latest swan to die was rescued by Hereford and Worcester Swan Aid. Members used a boat to get close and capture her.

An X-ray revealed that the bird had two hooks in her neck, which had to be removed. But the swan died one week later from a torn oesophagus.

Swan Aid spokesman Dan Sidley said: "I'm disgusted. This is very sad and I am very disappointed. We can ignore these problems no longer."

Swan Aid is even asking Newent Town Council to consider banning angling at the lake, which it owns.

Mr Sidley said: "I'm confident that another pair of swans will land on the lake and we must make sure that their future can be protected."

A male swan died in May, after being savaged by lurcher dogs.

The female swan had already undergone treatment for hooks in the throat, although that had been blamed on poachers laying night-lines to catch fish.