Black swan badges are going on sale in Dawlish to raise money to replace the birds lost in the avian flu outbreak last month.

The badges have been produced by local man Richard Hayward, who has designed the Dawlish Royal British Legion's Remembrance Sunday poppy badges for the last five years.

After the deaths of 11 black swans and cygnets in November, Richard's friend Mandy Bagdi suggested that he could design and sell a badge to help restock the swan colony.

He said: "It was her idea, and I said, look, I'll back you up, I'll come up with something.

"I did two designs and she chose the one she liked best, and I've produced 500 of them."

How much does he hope to raise?

If Richard sells all 500 of the badges for £3.00 each, he will raise £1,500 – enough to buy two pairs of swans plus a female for the male swan who lost his mate, as well as covering his own production costs.

The badges were launched this week by Richard, Mandy and the Mayor of Dawlish, Alison Foden.

They will be on sale at shops including Presents, The Puzzled Sweet Shop, Gay's Creamery and the Shoe Centre.