The woman behind a campaign to protect Helston's swans this spring has been left "totally confused" after their natural habitat was "decimated" just weeks before nesting season.

Mystery surrounds who is responsible however, after Cornwall Council denied any major clearing work.

Rebecca Wilbur has successfully organised fundraising to pay for security guards for the swans at Coronation Park on Flora Day, to protect their nests and eggs, and had also arranged for a clear up of the park that was due to have taken place last Thursday.

She had arranged for young members of Helston Phoenix Project and their families to help collect twigs from the paths to discourage the swans from nesting close to the busy Porthleven Road, and had hoped to get straw bales for the large island on the lake to provide nesting material in a safe location, but was horrified by what she believed to have been Cornwall Council clearing the park before they got there.

Rebecca said: "Unfortunately the spanner has been thrown well and truly into the works by Cornwall Council. They have instigated a huge Cormac clean-up of their own at the lake and decimated the large island, leaving it completely barren.

"Last year there were lots of shrubs for the swans to hide within. I was told the large island was not a space they wanted the swans to nest on and certainly didn't want straw bales on there.

"It's been really frustrating and I'm surprised that a community minded campaign such as this is not being given full support by the council.

"Basically we will have a situation this Flora Day where there will most likely be several swans making nests on the paths, instead of one. They have nowhere else to nest. I'm really disappointed they've done this just a couple of months away from nesting season and Flora Day. "

Rebecca stressed that Helston Town Council and particularly town clerk Chris Dawson had been "brilliant," booking the security guards for the Friday night before Flora Day and all day on May 6 until midnight.

"I'm just totally confused as to why Cornwall Council have made the island into a mud-flat," she added.

However, Cornwall councillor Andrew Wallis, whose division the park falls within, said the council had spoken to all the parties who might have carried out the work and no one claimed responsibility.

"On Thursday, February 9 Cormac operatives were instructed to leaf blow some paths in Coronation Park - no further works were performed by the operatives," he said.

Mr Wallis also stressed the need to register any litter picks with Clean Cornwall, saying: "

Community groups are asked to register their litter pick with Clean Cornwall, www.cleancornwall.org,

"This not only avoids duplication of works but also allows the community groups to borrow equipment or to request a waste collection.

"On this occasion the litter pick was not registered with Clean Cornwall.

"We always welcome individuals or groups helping to keep our open spaces looking clean and tidy, but processes must be followed to ensure the safety of those volunteers and the public."

Helston Phoenix Project coordinator Karen Harvey has also spoken of the group's disappointment at not being able to support the project.

Mrs Harvey said: "I was thrilled by the enthusiasm of our young people and their parents for this, some of whom rearranged their busy work load to offer a couple of hours of their time.

"It became apparent that there was no need for the Helston Phoenix Team and their group of volunteers to go down to the lake as there was nothing to clear up. I had to phone, text and email all our supporters giving them short notice that they were no longer needed - not an enviable task.

"The tidy up had been planned over the last few months. No one from the council had the decency to inform Rebecca that a clear up was taking place by Cornwall Council employees."