A pair of mating swans have managed to frighten off a gang of marauding dragons.

Brighton Marina has had to cancel a Dragon Boat Race that was due to take place on Sunday because there is a swans' nest in the lagoon.

Organisers were expecting 18 teams of 11 people, plus hundreds of spectators.

Swans are a protected species and by law nests have to be given at least 20ft of clear space. The marina lagoon is only 25ft wide.

The nest has two cygnets and two unhatched eggs.

Becky Taylor, spokeswoman for the marina, said: "We will do our best to reschedule it once we have looked after our wildlife."

The Dragon Boat Race is due to return to the marina for the first time in five years, now that the crumbling undercliff has been strengthened.

It is organised by two charities, Help a Local Child and Rockinghorse, and will raise money for Brighton's Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital.