STAFF at Hythe Marina are in no doubt about who rules the roost at work these days.

For the past nine months they have enjoyed a daily visit by a family of swans who have made the marina their home.

Every day the swans wait at the lock gates to be let out into Southampton Water for a paddle. When they've had enough, they queue up to come back in again.

"It's a big thing within the marina - all the residents know them," said manager Dave Wilson.

"It's a very, very confined space and when it's full of boats, they push past them and expect to be given priority.

"We have had to radio boats to ask them to wait. Everybody accepts it because it's such a rare sight. Some ducks have tagged along with them on several occasions."

Staff have taken the feathered family, consisting of mum, dad and four cygnets, well and truly to their hearts.