After the town’s black swans were hit by avian flu last year, two Dawlish residents came up with an original idea to raise money to ensure the resort was re-stocked with its world famous water fowl.

This week, a cheque for £1,492.50 was presented by Richard Hayward and Mandy Bagdi to Dawlish Town Council, which was gratefully received by the mayor of Dawlish, Cllr Alison Foden.

Mandy had the idea of Black Swan Fund badges to raise money to provide new black swans and also pay towards the costs of the waterfowl, after several mature swans and cygnets died last year.

Richard, who is well known locally for his funding raising badges for the Royal British Legion, came up with a unique design and proceeded to sell them with the help of local businesses.

All the black swan badges were sold and a total of £1,492.50 was raised (with an additional £324 given towards the production costs).

A town council

spokesman said: ‘We’re grateful for the support of everyone who bought the badges and delighted that some of the money has funded the two new black swans who are settled in the Tuck’s Plot area.

‘This new bloodline to Dawlish will hopefully see more cygnets in the not too distance future.’

The nest at Tuck’s Plot can be followed on BlackSwan.Cam – a joint venture between the town council and Dawlish Beach Cams.