ROMEO, the grieving black swan at Exbury Gardens, has a new lady in his life.

Romeo's mate Juliet was killed by a fox earlier this year while sitting on a clutch of eggs on her nest.

She had clearly put up a fight to protect her unhatched chicks, and staff at Exbury were devastated.

So too was Romeo, who was so distraught that everyone at Exbury feared for his health and well-being.

"Romeo missed Juliet so much," said Exbury's commercial manager, Victoria Martin.

"He was wandering everywhere looking for her, and at one point was even found on the road outside the gardens."

It was clear that the only answer to his plight might be a new mate, and urgent pleas were made for a suitable female to replace the hapless Juliet.

The word got around and staff at nearby Paulton's Park heard of a suitable black swan in a private collection.

Arrangements were made for the new swan to be brought to Exbury, and at noon on Friday, April 4, she duly arrived and was taken immediately to the pond to meet her Romeo.

The pair were left in peace to conduct their courtship.

The new swan preened herself for Romeo's benefit, but he seemed less certain and made it perfectly clear to his new partner that it was his pond.

However, everyone at Exbury believes they will soon make friends, and maybe fall in love.

One worry that has concerned Exbury staff is that a fox might make a return visit and attack the swans again.

"Paulton's Park have given us a lot of advice on how to protect the swans," said Victoria.

"They have suggested rigging up radios in the trees and putting some fencing around the pond to keep the birds in that area."

As yet the new swan does not have a name, but this is something the de Rothschild family and staff will be considering over the next few days.