Three swans struggle through refuse in Sankey Canal (Picture: Frank Hill/Triangle News)

Upsetting photographs show three swans forced to swim through mounds of rubbish in a canal.

The graceful birds were pictured next to plastic bottles, drinks cans and even a football on Sankey Canal near Warrington in Cheshire.

Frank Hill shared the photos on the Facebook group Sankey Canal Wildlife.

He wrote: ‘This is the sad state of affairs in one of the oldest canals in Britain.’

They were forced to swim through rubbish (Picture: Frank Hill/Triangle News)
The canal dates back to the 18th century (Picture: Frank Hill/Triangle News)
The photos sparked outrage (Picture: Frank Hill/Triangle News)

The canal dates back to the 18th century, when it was built mainly to transport coal to Liverpool.

Pictures of the swans have sparked outrage from those saying they should not face such conditions.

Jackie Staff responded to the post: ‘Humans are totally disgusting.’

Louise Dixon commented: ‘Good heavens. That’s terrible.’

Adrienne Smith added: ‘This happens because parents don’t teach their children not to litter.’