A PAIR of swans brought Freshwater traffic to a standstill after taking their baby cygnets on a long and exhausting walk in a desperate hunt for food.

Since then, Roger and Jenny Crates, of Copse Lane, have been feeding them.

They explained: "Recently, because the heatwave has badly affected their food supply in the river, they have been hunting for food further afield and brought local traffic to a standstill."

The swan and cygnets made it as far as the Red Lion three times in the days prior, where various people had taken them back to the river.

"They left the river, went up the lane to Church Place, and on to Hooke Hill where we found them. The cygnets and mother were tired and struggling.

"A lady guided them to the pavement and stopped two buses, one from each direction.

"Jenny rushed to find them, and because they have got to know us, they began to follow her back to the river.

"A big thank you is due to all the car and a Biffa lorry driver, who probably couldn't believe their eyes as they saw the procession of two adult swans and three cygnets flip-flopping along after Jenny.

"We are now getting up really early and going to the river to give them some breakfast so that they don't go marching off again. Hopefully, the rain with revive the river.

"We would also ask dog owners to keep their pets on a lead and that car drivers who use the Causeway to drive responsibly."