THE first cygnet this year has been born at Abbotsbury Swannery.

It is good news for the site which was dogged by bird flu restrictions earlier in the year but which is now all clear and open ready for the busy tourist season.

Abbotsbury tourism director John Houston said: "The first cygnets have begun hatching, which is truly a first for us because this does not usually happen until mid-May.

"It is believed that the first cygnet hatching is the first sign of summer and after all the doom and gloom this is good news for the swannery."