Patrols to protect two nesting swans from stone-throwing youths are proving to be a success during the school holidays.

The swans, at a small stream near the Willowbrook industrial estate, Worthing, had already lost three eggs in the attacks when animal rescuers stepped in.

Gangs of youths, some as young as eight, had been pelting the couple and their eggs with bricks, stones and rubbish scattered on the banks of the stream.

Originally, staff at Dinnages Body Shop, based on the estate, had chased off the children when they could but East Sussex Wildlife Ambulance and Rescue (Ewar) has now helped organise a rota for people to patrol the banks and keep the white-feathered family safe from abuse.

Worthing Borough Council also erected a fence to deter the gangs.

The stream and its banks, adjacent to Willowbrook Road, suffer from fly-tipping and the area is littered with rubbish, abandoned cars, shopping trolleys and unwanted furniture.

Ewar officer Trevor Weeks said the untidy state of the area attracted the "yobs" who attack the swans.

He said: "The Environment Agency is following up on addresses found in bin bags dumped near the nest.

"If it has enough evidence, it will go for a prosecution.

"It's the unkempt nature of the place that attracts the yobs and kids.

"If people do not think an area is cared for, they vandalise it even more.

"The patrols will continue until the eggs hatch and then we will reassess the situation.

"If we believe they are still at high risk from any form of danger, we will apply to Her Majesty's swan marker for permission to relocate them."