VISITORS to a popular Chorley beauty spot have been left outraged by a heartless attack on a swan's nest.

The nest was torched and its six eggs -- due to hatch any time now -- stolen.

The shocking incident took place at Healy Nab, behind the Thomas Witters factory, off Froom Street, Chorley.

Derek Lawrenson, 67, who has lived near the beauty spot for 39 years, said he had seen a swan sitting on the nest (pictured) with its eggs.

By mid-day the following afternoon he said the bird appeared to be wandering round in a 'really distressed state' and that all the eggs had gone.

Maureen Hall, of the Friends of Healy Nab group, said: "The nest has definitely been burnt and, on the footpath which runs past it, there was a bit of hay which had been set on fire.

"Someone has obviously torched the nest at the bottom to frighten off the mother." The raiders are also believed to have damaged a fence in a neighbouring field used by horses to get to the nest.

Mr Lawrenson added: "I think they probably just did it out of devilment. These kids are doing a lot of damage round there at the moment. They've already broken a stile up and the sheep got out."

Another regular visitor to the area, who wished to remain anonymous, said: " Somebody must have seen something, unless they've done it in the dark."

A spokesman for the RSPCA said: "In our experience, it's not that common for swans' eggs to be stolen and it's more than likely that it was done out of an act of vandalism rather than stealing them for their monetary value."

Grahame Madge, of the RSPB, said: "The stealing of any birds' eggs under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is highly illegal and depending on what the incident was connected with, there can be fines of up to £2,000."

On a return visit to the area, Mr Lawrenson said both swans appeared very frightened and wary of people after the raid.