BIRD lovers and walkers can continue feeding swans beside the River Severn after The King's School denied it had introduced a ban to curb the threat of bird flu.

The Worcester News has been contacted by several people who say they were prevented from giving food to swans near the rowing shed and steps down to the River Severn, where The King's School rowing club is based.

They said they were told swan droppings were a potential hazard to humans in light of the increasing threat of bird flu. But the bursar of The King's School said banning the public from feeding the swans was not a current directive, although it was under consideration if cases of bird flu were discovered in England.

Bartholomew Galen, said: "I'm not aware of any ban myself. I suspect it's one of those rumours that goes round. Like everywhere else we decided to take a measured view on avian flu and did not want to make any knee-jerk reactions."

A potential ban was considered at the start of term, said Mr Galen.

"We would make the point that there are 200 swans and, in relation to the rowers, it is something we have to keep an eye on," he added.

Worcester News columnist John Phillpott said he had been stopped from feeding the swans by what he called, "a King's School jobsworth".

He said: "The reason given was that such measures were vital to contain the spread of avian flu to humans. Swan droppings could present problems."

And a reader who did not wish to give her name said: "My husband and I were also subjected to this some weeks ago while feeding the swans. We were told it was health and safety issues.

"We wonder how many visitors may have received this same treatment. It would not encourage you to return would it? Quite the contrary, we felt annoyed by this man's attitude, she said."