These elegant creatures are the newest residents at Castle Howard.

The pair of black swans, which are native to Australia, were donated to the stately home and have taken up residence on its North Lake.

Now staff are keen to find names for the birds and are asking Gazette & Herald readers for their help.

Eleanor Course, spokesperson for Castle Howard, said: "They're really exciting birds. We've obviously got a lot of swans and different types of ducks and wildlife at Castle Howard and our new black swans seem to really like their new home. People are really interested, because they are unusual birds, but they don't have any names, so we want Gazette & Herald readers to come up with some.

"We want people to suggest whatever they think is appropriate. They're fantastic birds and hopefully their beauty and maybe something of Castle Howard will inspire people to come up with the perfect name."

The person who comes up with the winning names will get a year's family pass to Castle Howard.

Send your suggestion on a postcard, together with your name, address and telephone number to: Swan Competition, Gazette & Herald, PO Box 29, 76-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN, to arrive no later than Wednesday, May 21. Usual rules apply.