I READ about the plight of the swans nesting near Darlington town centre (Echo, May 2), and felt sick, thinking that poor David Reid was having to do something about this – alone.

He is writing to the Queen, who owns all swans, because their nests are regularly attacked.

Mr Reid is obviously a very caring man, as I’m sure are many true Darlingtonians.

Having watched these wonderful creatures nesting year after year, I wonder if there is anything some of us like-minded nature lovers could do to help.

Perhaps moving their island is a bit drastic because to the swans it is home and where they want to nest.

I feel sure that the good people of Darlington could stop these mindless morons from throwing stones at the nest, perhaps with a bit of oldfashioned vigilance.

I am sure we still have some big burly kind-hearted men in town.

Come on everyone, let’s help Mr Reid, the swans and a small but not helpless woman. Just imagine a River Skerne with majestic white swans swimming in it – wonderful!

Rosemary Buckton, Darlington