Swans could be given their own security guard at next year’s Flora Day in Helston.

Nature loving Rebecca Wilbur has started a campaign to help protect the birds from the hoards of people that descend on the town each year. 

The event often coincides with nesting and hatching season for the swans at Coronation Park, which is directly opposite the Flora fairground. 

After talking through her idea with town clerk Chris Dawson, Rebecca has set up an online fundraising page with the aim of raising £300, as one idea is to provide professional security. 

Rebecca said: “The lake is home to several nesting mute swans that are very vulnerable with the huge numbers of visitors to the lake and the funfair. 

“There have been incidents in the past where nests have been tampered with and eggs thrown into the lake, which is not only distressing but is also a criminal offence.

“I am raising funds to help pay for extra security at Helston’s Flora Day next spring, in particular by the boating lake.”

Through the fundraising page gofundme.com/floraday she hopes to raise the total by December, when the Flora Day Association will meets to discuss the 2017 event. 

Anything raised over that figure will be used to fund hay bales that will be placed on the islands, to encourage swans to nest there instead of the paths.