Swans rescued from Grand Union oil slick

ALTOGETHER 40 swans have been rescued from the cooking oil that was dumped in the Grand Union Canal.

This occurred on the 28th February, being illegally dumped in the canal at Alperton, Roger Fox reports.

It spread right down the canal with contractors using booms to gather the oil in Paddington Basin, where it is skimmed-out and taken away for proper disposal.

It affected many swans and other birds with the swans  being taken to the Swan Sanctuary in Shepperton to clean off the oil and make sure they were not too badly affected.

Canal & River Trust tells it is spending £10,000 a day on cleaning-up the oil.

It is not stated if the section is now open for full navigation.