They are meant to be graceful, elegant and regal.

With their powerful wings, long necks and white feathers, mute swans are admired for their serenity and beauty.

But now one Hampshire swan has turned his lake into a no-go zone and even attacked a baby sat in a buggy.

Mum Hannah Gooch, 23, of Locks Heath, was on her way to see work colleagues at the Solent Business Park in Whiteley, when the swan known as Charlie launched an unprovoked attack on her baby daughter Maisy.

Hannah, a strategic account administrator, said: “We were just walking by the side of the lake when the swan came out of the water and charged towards us.

“It went straight for my daughter’s buggy and started flapping its wings and pecking her knee.”

Some of Hannah’s work colleagues saw what happened and ran over to help.

“I was petrified. I was really worried the swan would start attacking my daughter’s face. We were lucky some of my colleagues saw what was happening and came over to help us.”

Hannah managed to get her baby out of the buggy while a colleague dragged her other daughter Leah, three, to safety. The attack left Maisy with a bruised knee.

Signs warning against “Aggressive Swans” are placed around the lake but Hannah thinks stronger action should be taken.

“I think they seriously need to consider moving the swan to another location. This isn’t the first time someone had been attacked by a swan around here. It’s dangerous and something really should be done about it.”

A similar attack happened in 2009 when two young mums were chased down while feeding the ducks with their children.

At the time Winchester City Council sent an animal welfare officer to keep an eye on the swans.

A spokesman for Winchester City Council said: “They are big birds and can be quite aggressive when it comes to protecting their mates.

“There are signs around the lake warning people to stay clear of the swans and we recommend people follow this advice.”

A spokesman for the RSPB said: “It’s the breeding season at the moment and the males tend to be more aggressive as they’re defending their mates and nests.

“We wouldn’t recommend moving the male as it would mean the female and the nest are left unprotected and the male would more than likely just fly back to where he was taken from.

“The best thing to do is to make sure you keep your distance from pairs of swans at this time of year.”