Two distressed swans are jealously guarding their young after thieves stole seven cygnets off Canvey lake.

Only a month ago the swans hatched a record of nine cygnets but now only two are left and it is feared the others may have been stolen.

Parks warden Tony Doveaston said: "It was a record brood for the lake.

"Two went missing the first week and now another five have gone. We have searched the area for carcasses in case foxes caught hold of them but we cannot find anything.

"There is just no trace of them."

Cygnets do not usually leave their parents willingly as they tend to either sit on their backs or under their wings as they swim along.

Even foxes are unlikely to attack as they would not fancy their chances against a vicious adult swan.

Mr Doveaston said: "People take them for various reasons, perhaps because they look cute and they want to try and rear them as pets.

"A cygnet this young would probably not survive as it lives mainly on an aquatic insect diet.

"Their chances of survival are pretty slim without their parents or expert care."

Councillor Dave Blackwell, chair of the leisure and amenities committee, feared even more sinister forces may be at work.

He said: "Apparently there is a big market for young swans abroad. They are exported and can fetch a lot of money paid by rich people who like to see them swimming on their private lakes.

"These cygnets would be too young to survive an ordeal like that. I am very disappointed.

"The parents swans have also been affected.

"I have never seen swans guard the two cygnets they have left so jealously. The male became quite ferocious."

Mr Doveaston said the pair of swans come in for a lot of abuse on the lake from local vandals.

He said: "Naturally they can get caught up in fishing lines but we have also had youngsters throwing fireworks and bricks at them. They come under attack regularly from yobs who take pleasure in hurting them. It's so sad."

Mr Blackwell vowed to look into whether local bye-laws could be adjusted to give the swans better protection on the lake.

Empty lake - Tony Doveaston has scoured Canvey lake but has seen no trace of the missing signets

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

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