WORKERS enjoying lunch close to ornamental lakes at a Hampshire business park do so at their own peril.

And residents pushing their children around the beauty spot are in even more grave danger.

For a nesting swan - nicknamed Sylvester or Charlie by locals - has already launched seven vicious and unprovoked attacks.

Now the owners of Solent Business Park in Whiteley have put up signs warning people of the bird, which appears to target pushchairs and prams.

Sorrel Drive resident David Jenkins, a parish councillor, is among the victims of the swan, which is thought to have a wing span of around 7ft.

He was out for a walk in a group of four adults and two young children when the swan came right across the water to peck him and a friend's six-year-old daughter.

Mr Jenkins said: "It pecked our friend's little girl on the backside, which she found funny, luckily. But it wasn't a nice experience and it could be worse next time.

"My concern is that one of the dads may be looking after his family and sort the swan.

"I know of at least seven attacks. One family had to leave their buggy, run off and come back for it later."

Carmen Croaker, of Saffron Way, Whiteley, regularly takes walks nearby.

She said: "I was walking through with my son and we had bread at the bottom of his pushchair. The swan saw the bread and came straight at us. It was quite frightening and we ran off."

David Hempstead, 38, from Lee-on-the-Solent, added: "More and more businesses and homes are being built and people moving into the area. This is the price we pay."

An RSPB spokesman said the behaviour was 'unusual', although the bird was likely to be protecting its home and its young.

Swans are a protected species and would only be removed from the spot as a last resort.

Richard Potter, from landowners Arlington Securities, said: "Swans have nested at the park for many years and a potential change in their behaviour around the nesting period is sometimes experienced.

"Arlington has taken steps to make people aware of the swans and their need for space during this time.

"Signage has been installed informing visitors of the swans' habitat around the lake area. We have also been in touch with a number of local wildlife organisations to seek advice on the steps to take to ensure that visitors do not endanger themselves nor unsettle the swans."