A swan which suffered horrific injuries after an attack with a bottle has been given a new lease of life.

The seven-year-old cob, named Samson by rescuers, has been fitted with a custom-built prosthetic bill in a procedure which is the first of its kind to be carried out in the United Kingdom.

Samson, who has been recovering at Tinkers Hill Bird of Prey and Swan Rescue Centre at Amroth since the callous attack at Pembroke Mill Pond last month, was seen by Bristol dentist Alan Holland and technician, Ed Hannaford, of Plymouth, in a bid to give him a chance to fully recover from his injuries.

The dentists took moulds of Samson's bill and used the beak of a dead swan as a model to develop a detachable bill that will ensure that the remaining part of the beak will stay healthy.

After the new see-through acrylic beak was fitted over the remains of the damaged one at the weekend, Samson was able to preen, eat and drink properly again, bringing delight to Mr. Holland, Mr. Hannaford and Maria Evans and her fellow wildlife workers at Tinkers Hill, and has made all their hard work worthwhile.

Samson will continue to reside at Tinkers Hill where he will be monitored along with another swan which had to receive 18 stitches to a 'spearlike' wound in her wing following an injury received around the same time at Pembroke Mill Pond.

"Samson is doing so well," commented Maria.

"It's amazing to see him feeding, preening and grazing again," she continued, pointing out that she had considered having Samson put to sleep such were the extent of his injuries.

"Alan Holland and Ed Hannaford are two brilliant professionals and have given Samson back his dignity and his life.

"I am so so thrilled with his progress; it is fantastic to see him. The beak is made of clear acrylic so I can see if there is a problem and even remove it for cleaning.

"I have been contacted by vets away who have wanted the whole procedure documented, so it may well help to save other swans," she added.