A lone black swan has made a Carlisle park its new place of residence - though it's doesn't seem to be the most welcome house guest.

The red-beaked bird is thought to have been in Hammonds Pond, Upperby, for a couple of weeks.

Its unusual appearance has turned a few heads but the park's resident, mute swans are by no means its biggest fans. The territorial birds have been seen chasing the black swan and pecking at it.

Local resident Sylvia Brock, 67, of Holmes Avenue, Currock, walks in Hammond's Park every morning with her dogs.

She is concerned about its safety after realising it had a couple of tail feathers missing.

"I don't know where this swan has come from but it really should be taken off the pond before it is killed - the white swans are already starting to attack it.

"I don't know whether it will survive much longer."

Sylvia saw black swan a few years ago, which escaped from Caldbeck but was collected by its owners.

"They are pretty spectacular to look at," she added. "It caused quite a stir when it first came."

Pupils from Upperby Primary School mentioned the strange black swan to their teachers.

Arron (corr)Smith, eight, was "amazed" by it when he spotted it while walking with his grandmother in the park on Tuesday.

Carlisle City Council runs the park and have been made aware of their latest arrival.

A spokeswoman said: “It is rare to have a sighting of a black swan in Hammond’s Pond.

"The park is a popular spot for wildlife and we’re delighted that the black swan is using the park as its new residence.”

Steve Westerberg, site manager at RSPB Geltsdale, said black swans are not that uncommon, but that their numbers dwindle in the north of England and Scotland.

He explained that the black swan is native to Australia and isn't aware that they have bred in the UK yet.

He says it's most likely escaped a wild foul collection as many were brought to the UK as ornamental birds, like peacocks and golden pheasants.

"Britain is awash with more exotic wild foul out in the wild than anywhere else," he said.

Depending on how aggressive and assertive the black swan is, Mr Westerberg said it might stay around.

"It's more likely to hang around if it can find food," he said.