FIVE newly-hatched cygnets were the subject of a rescue mission on the Brook in Dawlish.

The days old cygnets had become trapped on the lower weir and were unable to scramble to safety.

A member of the public was said to have initially waded unto the water to try to help the five Black Swan cygnets when they found themselves further down the Brook and unable to get back.

The cygnets hatched last week to parents Bert and Kimba.

They were out on the water within a few hours, trying out the waters of the Brook.

But the cygnets became trapped and needed help to save them from being washed out to sea.

The bystander is said to have returned the cygnets to the other side of the weir but had to remove them from the water before trying to coax the parents back up the waterway.

Dawlish waterfowl wardens arrived on the scene and were able to save all five cygnets by scooping them up and returning them to a calmer area of the Brook.

The owners of holiday accommodation Pilchard Cottage said: ‘The Waterfowl Wardens did an incredible job, saving all five newly hatched Black Swan cygnets on The Brook, who had travelled over a couple of weirs and couldn’t get back to safety.

‘Mum and dad Bert and Kimba weren’t too happy about the intervention, but it was necessary to keep the little ones safe and away from the sea.

‘Whilst trying, and eventually succeeding, to save the five newly hatched Black Swan cygnets, the poor Waterfowl Warden bore the brunt of the protective parent’s wrath.’

Newly hatched Dawlish cygnets often end up in trouble, we are so lucky to have a dedicated team of wardens helping to keep them safe.

Kimba, Bert and their five new offspring were eventually returned to rest safely at Tuck’s Plot near Jubilee Bridge.