Animal-lovers in South Derbyshire have been left heartbroken after a cygnet from a well-loved family of swans was killed.

The swans have been making waves in and out of the Midway Ponds, gaining notoriety on social media, as local residents have been sharing photos and stories about the family.

Just last month, a duck was found dead in the road near the pond, prompting residents to look at how safe the animals are.

Mary Chamberlain, 46, from Watchorn Close, near the pond, was one of those left heartbroken after the dead bird was found in the middle of the road.

She has guided the birds safely to the pond herself on several occasions and has seen others doing the same.

She said: “There have been signs put up, telling people not to feed the birds as bread can be really bad for them.

“I think since people have stopped giving them food, they have been wandering further to try to find some food. I think they’re just hungry.

“I know a lot of people, including myself, have bought special food for the swans online, so the birds are still being fed.”

Swans in Watchorn Close in Swadlincote
The swans have been spotted in the area near Midway Ponds

It is believed that when the swans were seen crossing the road, cars slowed down waiting for them to pass, but another decided to overtake the other cars, hitting the cygnet in the process.

She said: “There was a dead cygnet in the road. It was lying there, and the mum was stood next to it, not moving, while the dad had taken the other two back to the pond safely. Its head was completely crushed – it’s absolutely disgraceful.”

Derbyshire County Council has been made aware of the incident, and a spokesman said: “We will be putting up signs to make motorists aware that birds may be in the road; one sign on each approach to the pond.”

In 2011, a father from Greater Manchester was fined for criminal damage, after accidentally killing two swans while on a jet ski.