Staff go quackers for friendly chick

The brown bundle of fluff was found by a member of the public in a lay-by in the county.

The duckling was taken to staff at the British Wildlife Rescue Centre near Stafford.

Abby Gower, a volunteer at the centre, said it was unusual for a duckling to be abandoned.

"It is odd for us to have a duckling left on the side of the road like this one was. We don't know why he was left. He could have been stolen and then someone has panicked and just dumped him.

"He's not a wild duck. He's very young as his feathers haven't come through properly yet. He's still very fluffy."

Volunteers at the centre have been keeping a close eye on him, feeding him chick crumbs which are made from ground up corn, lettuce and meal worms.

"He was in a good condition when he was brought in. There was nothing wrong with him. He's really friendly. It's a shame really.

"He's settled in really well here. We fill up the sink for him and he jumps in to have a bath."

Once he is old enough, the duckling, who has not been named yet, will be released onto the pond at the centre which is based at Amerton Farm, near Stafford, to join the other rescue ducks.

The centre, which is on the A518 near Weston, is a non-profit charity which cares for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife. It relies on donations from the public.

It is currently appealing for donations of shredded paper and blankets for bedding.