A NEW family in an East Lancashire town has caused a real flap among the neighbours, by swanning around like they own the place.

A cob, pen, and set of cygnets have decided to set up their own Swan Lake in a puddle by the bus stop in St James' Close, Church.

The family, who usually reside on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, have visited their new home-from-home several times in the past three weeks and are becoming a familiar sight to the residents.

Sandra Pilling, of Church Street, who regularly walks her dogs past the bus stop, said: "They really are an amazing sight.

"It's nice to see them mixing in the community, even if they have been stopping traffic by flapping about in the road!"

Residents said the swans come up Donkey Back Lane, which runs past St James' Church and down to the canal, have a play in the church grounds then go for a splash about in the puddles by the Hyndburn Circular bus stop.

Patricia Freeston, 36, of York Street, bumped into the family when they visited her mother's house in Church Street. Patricia said: "They were sitting on the doorstep, tapping with their beaks to come in. The weather for this time of year is horrible, but seeing them really brightens up the day."

Cecilia Collard, 54, Church Street, said: "They are beautiful and seem oblivious to anything else when they are here." A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: "This seems to be something that is very abnormal behaviour for swans. Usually if they have cygnets they are very protective and would try to keep them away from any kind of predicament like this.

"This is certainly something we will look into. Meanwhile, we would ask motorists to be aware of their presence and be considerate.

"We would also ask people not to encourage the birds to come up from the canal which is where they should be."