A dog on a lead has killed one of the black swans at Tuck's Plot, Dawlish Town Council has said.

It comes after a pair of male and female swans nested and laid eggs on the small island in the Brook at Tuck's Plot in January. The male swan has been killed, and the female is still at the nest.

Six of the seven eggs in the nest have now been removed by waterfowl wardens to incubate in the waterfowl compound.

The town council has reminded the public 'to give all the waterfowl a distance and respect their space', even if they do not have a dog.

A spokesperson for the town council said on social media: "We are sad to inform everyone that there has been an unfortunate incident where the father black swan has been killed by a dog on a lead in Tuck's Plot.

"The waterfowl wardens have the removed the eggs from the nest to continue their incubation in the compound. Mother swan is still at the nest, and we will be maintaining a careful watch on her welfare. The exact circumstances of the incident are still being investigated.

"We would remind everyone whether they have a dog or not to give all the waterfowl a distance and respect their space."