Hampstead Heath is expecting a fluffy flock of new cygnets this summer after a pair of swans began nesting.

The birds were spotted by photographer Ron Vester, guarding three eggs which should hatch around the end of May.

Mr Vester, of Belsize Park, snapped the happy couple on Sunday at the bird sanctuary pond, near Highgate.

He said: “These swans have been there about three years so they’re not newcomers. They are one of the two remaining pairs left on Hampstead Heath.

“Let’s hope they’re lucky, because they were not last year. They had two cygnets but neither survived.”