OVER 60 people attended a vigil this evening to remember a family of swans that are believed to have been shot dead by an airgun.

Taking place at Withybush Woods, Haverfordwest, the vigil was organised to give people a chance to share their memories of the much-loved animals.

Some mourners had formed a close connection with the swans before their deaths last week.

Haverfordwest resident Gwyn Cole would walk to the lake to see the swans every day, and considered them almost to be pets.

“Everybody loved the swans,” he said. “They brought people together.

“I called them Henry and Henrietta. I would pick Henry up sometimes and he would feed from my hand.”

The vigil was organised by Gillian Winkler, who thought a vigil would be a good way to bring people together.

“The swans brought a lot of joy to a lot of people,” she said.

Two people have been arrested in connection with the deaths of two adult swans and one cygnet.

A second cygnet was recovered from the lake and is now in the care of bird rescue centre Tinker’s Hill.