A constant stream of people made the trip to see three new additions to a feathery Workington family this week.

Three cygnets are attracting the town's attention after they hatched this week.

Dog-walkers, cyclists and residents have been keeping an eye on the nest since it was unintentionally disturbed.

A pair of swans nested near the police station and produced a number of eggs in April.

But when the traditional mass football game Uppies And Downies took place, the scrum moved close to the nest and supporters feared the eggs could be unintentionally trampled on.

Ian Johnson, known as Tut, is an Uppie and long-time supporter of the game.

He said: "It's great to hear that the eggs have now hatched, it's fantastic.
"On the Tuesday night game some supporters helped move the eggs putting them in their jumpers.

"On our Facebook page everyone commented at the time how great it was that someone helped to keep them safe and looked after them."

The eggs were redeposited in the nest after the game moved away from it and supporters and players made sure the swans went back to their eggs.

Ian added the game did not move near the nest but it was a necessary precaution to be taken.

He said it was the first time in 60 or 70 years the game moved so close to the area.

A spokesman for the RSPB warned it was illegal to move swan eggs, but added it was great to hear the swans hatched its young.

She said: "Even well intentioned help could result in disturbing and causing distress to the birds, so they should be left alone. In intervening, people can cause disturbance to nesting birds, and in some cases may result in the parents abandoning the nest.

"Most birds are protective of their nest site and young so will make lots of noise if they feel you are venturing too close and you should simply move away."

The RSPB spokeswoman said nests should be cordoned off if events are planned near the site.

Two eggs hatched on Tuesday and one on Wednesday.

It is expected three more will hatch this week.

The male swan is keeping constant guard of his partner and little ones.