TRAFFIC was brought to a standstill in Manchester city centre when a swan wandered on to a busy road.

Police officers used their jackets to guide the bird to safety after it waddled along Whitworth Street West, yesterday evening.

Web designer Matt Haworth, who lives on a third floor apartment nearby, said: "I heard the sound of quacking. I looked down and three policemen were chasing a bird across the road and dodging past cars. It seemed like a battle of wills between them and the swan."

The incident happened near to the Deansgate Locks. The police managed to guide the swan to the River Irwell.