'Pickles' the Leeds Castle Swan passes away aged 30

Pickles was the nosiest character at the Castle's moat. Credit: ITV News Meridian

Pickles the Leeds Castle Swan has sadly passed away at the grand age of 30, having recently celebrated his milestone birthday and found fame as the oldest swan in the UK.

Since 2013, the Leeds Castle estate has been home to Pickles, the large white Whooper Swan with a long thin neck and black legs.

Pickles was easily recognisable to visitors by his large vibrant yellow bill and he was also the noisiest resident on the Castle’s moat.

Staff at the Castle recently celebrated ‘Pickles Day’, the date marked as Pickles 30th birthday and the swan shot to fame across the country.