A DRAMATIC rescue took place at the pond on Ham Common after six cygnets got separated from their parents and found themselves trapped in a fence.

A crowd gathered round the pond to watch as rescuers braved the angry swans who were busy trying to protect their young, to rescue them from the fence.

Vanessa Fison, chair of the Ham and Petersham Association, was the brave person who donned her wellies to wade into the pond. She said she always kept an eye on the pond because the association had worked hard for its restoration.

She said: "We are delighted that the swans have decided to nest again here. They have produced six cygnets which is fantastic.

"Part of the restoration of the pond has been planting and to keep Canadian geese from eating them we have put up protective fencing made from chicken wire. The cygnets had managed to get separated from their parents on the landward side of the fencing. But they couldn’t find their way out, although we had left a place where they could get out.

"The swan upping man in Windsor said he couldn’t make it for an hour and half, so I asked him what I should do. The cob was very agitated, but the man told me to brave it as it was all show. I got some waders on and I thought I’d give it a try, but I couldn’t get anywhere near, the cob wouldn’t let me.

"I gradually, gradually got closer and closer and finally got them out using wire cutters. There was quite a little group of people watching on the bankside."

Vanessa Fison reports that the cygnets have managed to keep themselves out of trouble since the little drama and were growing well.