THE BLACK Swan nest in Dawlish has survived heavy rainfall and remains intact today.

Volunteers from WADE - Waterways Around the Dawlish Environment - and the town’s waterfowl wardens were out in force yesterday ahead of Storm Benjamin’s arrival to help protect the nest and other wildlife.

The sluice gates were opened and adjusted to allow any additional water to escape.

This morning, volunteers were back out on the Brook early the close some of the gates.

A spokesman for WADE said: ‘It’s all looking much more back to normal this morning and the swan’s nest is fine too.’

Opening the gates let out any excess water which has meant the nest built by swans Bert and Kimba in the middle of the Brook could remain above the water level.

Two eggs remain on the nest and the pair have been seen collecting material to build up the nest, which is built on a low-lying island, over the last week.