A POPULAR swan that was a familiar sight to visitors to Crewe's Queens Park has passed away.

Tributes have been paid to Duke, who was the longest resident male swan at the park, after he died at the RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre.

The bird was taken to the centre near Nantwich on Tuesday after people noticed changes in his behaviour and realised he was off colour.

Sadly he passed away overnight and due to Covid restrictions the cause of Duke's death is unknown.

Duke's partner, May, is still resident within the park.

Duke was said to have lived in the park for at least nine years and had become so well known that many people have been moved to comment on social media, including on the 'Queens Park Crewe - The People's Park' Facebook page.

The comments have included "Such sad news..he will be missed", "So sad we and May will miss him terribly" and "Our beautiful boy. Rest in peace Duke and know that you were loved by many".

One poignant message read: "Such sad news. Fly high over the rainbow bridge with your buddies xx", and another lamented "I'm really shocked that such a magnificent swan has died. It all seems so sudden".

A member of the group has even produced a graphic in tribute to the well-loved bird, whose mate, May, featured on the front cover of the Queens Park Crewe 2021 calendar.