CRINKLY the swan has returned to the Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust after surviving another gruelling migration from Russia.

The Bewick’s swan, who has a distinctive kink in her neck, became a favourite after arriving in 2004 as a cygnet.

She has so far survived nine journeys, clocking up more than 27,000km.

Julia Newth, wildlife health officer, said: "It is thought that Crinkly was born with this birth defect, and although is not as aerodynamic as the others, seems to cope very well.

"She does not appear to have a mate, although a partner that is new to the reserve may be initially hesitant in coming on to the main lake so we will have to wait and see."

Not far behind Crinkly, who arrived in mid-November, were her father Lucius and 17-year-old Riddler.

Bewick’s Swans usually arrive in Britain in October after spending the breeding season in Siberia, but this year the first one only landed in Slimbridge on Saturday, November 1.