DUCKLINGS are not usually associated with the festive season but at Westmoor Veterinary Centre in Tavistock, three ducklings — Mistletoe, Holly and Ivy —are causing quite a splash.

The ducklings were brought in to the veterinary centre last week having been found out in the cold by members of the public.

Two of the ducklings were found being attacked by a seagull and abandoned by their mother, and the third was found floating down Tavistock canal and was bravely scooped out with an umbrella.

Denise Nordenhall from Westmoor Veterinary Centre said the duckling that was rescued from the canal was not in a good condition when it arrived.

'The duckling was very cold and close to death and the other two were cold and thin. Now they are all doing extremely well, and swimming around in the sink at least three times a day.'

Denise said the ducklings hatched out too late in the year and would never have been able to survive the winter on their own in the wild. The ducklings are now being well looked after, and Mistletoe, Holly and Ivy have a nice warm place to stay over the winter period.