MORE than £2,000 has been handed over to support Dawlish’s iconic black swans and water birds.

Mayor Cllr Val Mawhood and senior waterfowl warden Don Phillips received two cheques to help with the maintenance and upkeep of the town’s famous birds and all the waterfowl on the Brook.

Catharine Jessiman, from the Ugly Duckling restaurant, raised £250 by selling her collection of window and restaurant ducks at the Dawlish Christmas market.

And Neil Salter, Beach Cams Man, handed over £1,884 from donations from the waterfowl calendars and sales from pin badges.

There are still a few of the limited edition pin badges left for sale which are available from the town council offices or through the waterfowl wardens.

One of the black swan couples are now looking after three eggs laid on the nest at Tuck’s Plot.

Black Swan Cam, a joint venture between Neil and Dawlish Town Council, is now following the progress of the family.

It is the first time the swans have laid at Tuck’s Plot in the two years since the camera was installed.