Pickles the Leeds Castle swan – thought to have been the oldest in Britain – has died at the age of 30.

The large white Whooper had lived at the Maidstone tourist attraction for eight years and was a popular sight with visitors.

Mark Brattle, the castle's falconry and wildlife manager, said today: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Pickles the swan who passed away yesterday.

"Pickles was a massive character at the castle and will be missed by staff and visitors alike. The falconry and wildlife team would like to thank everyone for their kind words of support.”

Pickles was easily spotted with his long thin neck, black legs and large yellow bill. He was also the noisiest resident on the castle’s moat. He even had his own social media channels.

Only last month staff celebrated his 30th birthday which, it is believed, made him the oldest swan in Britain.

He could often be seen swimming across the castle’s ancient moat or on the vast Great Water surrounded by 19 Mute swans, Trumpeter swans and Leeds Castle's Black swans.

A castle spokesman added: "Pickles will be fondly remembered by staff and visitors at the castle, RIP to the feathered King of the Castle, fly high!"

Whooper swans normally live to 10 years in the wild and up to their late 20s in captivity. Pickles moved to Leeds Castle in 2013 when he was 22.

Mr Brattle said: "When he arrived there was little known about him other than he had hatched sometime in early June 1991. No exact date had been given, which meant Pickles didn’t have a birthday. So we decided to assign him a day and June 3 became known at the castle as Pickles Day."

Leeds Castle is off Junction 8 of the M20.

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