ONE of Swindon's most popular dads is making a steady recovery after being hit by a car - although he may not be able to go home.

A family of swans has lived in the pond at the front of Swindon's Great Western Hospital for several years.

And in that time the swans, who often pair up for several years, have become popular with visitors, patients and staff.

But on Wednesday the male swan, who has just fathered a brood of cygnets, was struck by a car as he crossed a road inside the hospital boundary.

Now it is unclear if the male swan will be able to return home.

RSPCA inspector Stephanie Daly was called to the scene.

"It was conscious but unable to stand when I arrived," said Insp Daly.

"Its right leg was obviously injured and very swollen."

She caught the bird and took it to be checked by a vet.

X-rays revealed that nothing was broken but there was a lot of swelling - making a rapid return to the wild more likely.

The unnamed bird has since been collected by Swindon Swan Rescue and is expected to be freed within a few days.

Teri Stevens of the Great Western Hospital said: "The latest news received is that the swan is okay and no fractures have been found.

The swan however has a lot of skin bruising and a longer period of convalescence is necessary.

"The RSPCA has advised that the swan may not be able to return to our pond, in which case they will come to collect its family and take them to the Swan Sanctuary so that they remain together.

"Last year we had three cygnets and seven this year, staff, patients and visitors all like to hear how the swans are doing.

"It has been quite upsetting to hear that a swan has been hit by a car. We would ask all drivers to note that the trust does have a 10mph speed limit throughout the site and to drive with care and caution for the safety of everyone including swans."

John Warwick runs Swindon and District Animal Haven in Wootton Bassett and said it is rare for a swan to be hit by a car.

He also said that at this time of year it is more common for swans to get injured because after having had cygnets they are more hormonal.

"In the last two years I have been called out three times for swans stuck on the motorway," he said.

He said he was only surprised with the hospital's proximity to the A419 that something of this kind had not happened before.