Ministers have chosen a flight of silhouetted swans in V-formation as the logo for Britain's six-month presidency of the European Union.

Patricia Hewitt, the trade and industry secretary, who will use the logo to support Britain's designers, said that it symbolises "European nations working together effectively for a better future".

A government official added: "Flying in formation shows the benefit of co-operation. They all save energy by flying in each other's slipstream and take it in turns to lead."