A petition calling for an island in the centre of Helston's boating lake to be "restored back to its former glory" for the benefit of both swans and visitors has received almost 600 signatures in a week.

Last week the Packet reported how the large island at Coronation Lake had been "decimated" just weeks before swan nesting season, although as yet no one has taken responsibility for the clearing of the bushes.

Now Rebecca Wilbur, who was living in Porthleven when she began a campaign to have the swans protected on Flora Day, after one began nesting near the road last year, has explained more about what she is hoping to achieve.

She said: "Recent news that the large island at the lake has been brutally cleared, has meant it is likely that nesting swans will again make their nests along the the paths this year - the very thing we've been working to avoid."

She has set up a petition at change.org/p/cornwall-council-to-return-the-large-island-at-helston-boating-lake-to-nesting-swans in a bid to "prove that there are many others" that want to see the island re-planted and made accessible to the swans.

Rebecca stressed that there was a "misperception" she was trying to encourage the swans to breed at the lake and boost the population, adding: "What I would dearly like is the lake returned to the way it used to be, which was one mating pair. At the moment there are 16 swans on the lake. This is mostly due to food being abundant. It's a little like a five star hotel to a swan.

"If I could say one thing that might improve the situation it would be: do not feed the swans. At least not before nesting season is about to begin. This is when they'll be looking for areas to nest with plenty of food."

She said the island was "the best place" for the swans to nest, while stopping the bird food at the lake would reduce the population.

Cornwall councillor Andrew Wallis, whose division the lake falls within, although he has no involvement in its day-to-day management, has also spoken about the need to reduce the number of birds, describing it as "far too great."

He said: "Previous advice from RSPB, have said this area should only support one breeding pair. The RSPB have suggested feeding is discouraged, but this is hard to do, as many families enjoy doing this.

"We are totally supportive of a sign saying which food stuffs can be given to the birds. This helps educate people on the natural food for the different birds. The birds are overfed and much of the food given to them isn’t eaten."

Mr Wallis said he liked the idea of a "floating island" being created for the swans, although this would need to be done in conjunction with the leaseholder of the Lakeside Cafe and new park leaseholders South Kerrier Alliance, which he said had offered to set up a public meeting with bird experts to look at a dedicated care plan for the birds.

"I will reiterate, I am very supportive of protecting the swans and making the whole area habitable for them, as I am for the ducks and other birds. I also, as the local member ,have to balance the requests of other people who have complained about the state of the island and want to use it. It is about being fair to everyone," he added.