THEY are the epitome of grace.

Whether in flight or moving effortlessly through the water, mute swans have long been admired for their beauty.

But they have another, less appealing, side.

The birds guard their territory keenly and have often been known to attack people who get too close, particularly during their breeding season.

Now, two young mums have issued a warning about the swans on a Hampshire lake after they and their children both came under fire in separate incidents.

Jeff and Michelle Lyons and their three-year-old twins Thomas and Jack, had been feeding the ducks at Whiteley Business Park when a swan launched an attack on the twin’s buggy.

Michelle, 30, of Bitterne, Southampton, said: “It was really frightening. The swan was trying to get at my children’s trainers.

We ran away and the swan was still chasing us.

“The swans can be quite violent and they hiss if you get too close.”

Emer Bosworth, who was with her children, Cian, four and 21 month old Ronan, were walking along a footpath behind an office complex when she noticed some muck on one of the buggy wheels.

She knelt down to clear it off and when she looked up a swan was bearing down on her and the boys agressively.

Her husband John said: “My wife stood up but by this time the swan was upon them. Its movements caused the buggy to topple over with our youngest son in it.”

The swan a t t a cke d Mrs Bosw o r t h , pecking and biting her arms and legs, leaving her with a nasty bruise on the back of her leg. She screamed loudly and managed to push the swan away.

There is an “ a g g r e s s i v e swan” warning sign near the lakes but Mr Bosworth said: “It may be prudent to have stronger warnings of the heightened danger during the breeding season.

Many families walk around this area, especially at weekends and at this time the swans seem to be a particular threat.”

Winchester City Council has sent in an animal welfare officer to keep observations on the swans’ activities in the area which is a popular walk for office workers and local residents.

A spokesman said: “Following a complaint we have sent an animal welfare officer to the lakes to make observations and see if there is an issue.

“This is the breeding season and the swans tend to be more territorial and it is a good idea to give them a wide berth.”