Protective covers for swan wandering around in Gateshead (7)
I believe the answer is:
awnings
'protective covers' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?
'swan wandering around in gateshead' is the wordplay.
'wandering' is an anagram indicator.
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'gateshead' becomes 'g' (head letter of 'gates').
'swan' is an anagram of 'awns'.
'in'+'g'='ing'
'awns' going around 'ing' is 'AWNINGS'.
'for' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Another definition for awnings that I've seen is " Canopies for shelter".)