A PAIR of swans have been targeted by cruel yobs who hurled roof slates at their nest.

Bird lovers fear the female swan may now be trying to hatch dead eggs after being forced to sit on broken vodka bottles that had been thrown into the nest.

Two-year-old pen Penny has been sitting on the eggs in Queen's Park, Blackburn, for almost two months - but the cygnets should have hatched after just 41 days.

Her 26-year-old arthritic mate Rambo has also been put at risk by the youths' reckless behaviour.

Liz Fields, of the Queen's Park Supporters Group, said: "They are having stones and logs thrown at them by these hooligans.

"When I went to feed them the other morning Penny was sitting on broken glass and these yobs had thrown a dozen slates from the boat house at her.

"One of them had landed on her wing.

"This is just cruel and senseless behaviour."

She added: "I think the eggs have been fractured by the items thrown at her and it doesn't look like they are going to hatch - they are dead eggs.

"The people doing this have no respect for the park or for theses beautiful creatures. It is disgusting."

Rambo is thought to be one of the oldest swans in the country. Last year the pair had three offspring - Rambo's first in seven years.

The cob was given the name Rambo by local people after allegedly drowning two dogs who were swimming close to a previous batch of eggs.

Blackburn council workers built him a ramp onto the park lake's island so that he could mate in a more secluded area after vandals previously attacked nests nearer the edge of the water.

The supporters group is now hoping to apply for a grant so that security features can be put around the lake to protect the swans.

Mrs Fields added: "We have a duty to look after these birds - and so does everyone who uses the park. "