MINK set free by animal rights activists in the late 1990s have been blamed for disappearing wildlife in Hyndburn.

Residents believe the creatures, set loose from their cages at mink farms when the Government promised to end mink farming in the UK, have bred in the wild and travelled through the waterways to cause havoc.

Alan Hollin, who runs New Barn Farm in Church with his brother Raymond, 55, now fears his stock may be destroyed after the discovery of a mink on the Leeds and Liverpool canal banking.

Raymond said he believed the mink was mainly responsible for the disappearance of wildlife on the banking and feared his birds and animals would be next.

He said: "The mink was first seen about 10 days ago in the St James Road area and since then the ducklings have been disappearing and there are very few females left.

"It appears they have been taken when nesting as they are vulnerable then."

The cygnets in a family of swans featured in The Lancashire Evening Telegraph earlier this week after they set up a temporary home in a large puddle in the road have also reduced from 10 to five and one was found with puncture marks in its neck.

Alan, 48, said: "It is definitely a mink doing this as foxes don't go into the water. Ducklings have been seen being pulled down under the surface.

"It is only a matter of time before the mink come on to my farm and take my geese, hens, rabbits and maybe even the young lambs."

The farmer said the creatures could also be a danger to domestic pets and said residents should be aware that mink could kill kittens or puppies, too.

He believes the animals have come from a mink farm in Whalley after animal rights campaigners set them free in the late 1990s.

Peter MacDonald, a security officer at Calligen Foam, Broadoak Road, in Accrington, said mink had already affected the wildlife at the lodge and brook in the works grounds.

He said: "The area has been devastated by mink. Security officers keep an eye on the wildlife at the site in addition to their ordinary role and this is the first time I have seen it so bad.

"Two years ago one mink killed 50 ducklings and they don't breed here now. I want to see the mink trapped and destroyed.

"The damage has been done here but hopefully further damage can be stopped on the canal."

An RSPCA spokesman confirmed that mink were set free a few years ago and that could be the reason wildlife was disappearing.

However, he went on to express an opinion that it was more likely the wildlife was moving to safer waters than being killed.

He said: "The mink could well be in the area as a number were released some time ago.

"It is possible some of the birds may have been killed but we would suggest they would be more likely to have gone away in search of safer waters."