Love a duck... we do, but we've got too many, say villagers (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Love a duck... we do, but we've got too many, say villagers

VILLAGERS in Bledington are going quackers over their ever-expanding population of ducks.

Parish council vice chairman Graham Harris said: "We've got more ducks than we can cope with, bearing in mind this is the time of year they are pairing up."

Councillors, who would like to halve the village's population of around 60 ducks, are inviting neighbouring parishes such as Bourton, to take some off their hands.

"We're not anti-duck. They are picturesque and we love our ducks. We wouldn't want to be without them all, " stressed Mr Harris.

"It's just the numbers. We want them to go to somebody who will look after them."

Ducks have been part of the village scene in Bledington for as long as anyone can remember. Following the death some years ago of former parish council chairman Archie Forbes, who used to look after them and take them in at night, their numbers have escalated.

"The main thing we feel as a parish council is they peck into the banks of the stream and it is getting wider and wider," said Mr Harris.

The ducks, which can have broods of 12 to 14 ducklings, also nest in villagers' gardens. "They can be noisy at night," said Mr Harris.

Bourton Parish Council is to look into the possibility of taking some of the surplus ducks on its stretch of the River Windrush.

Parishes who may be able to offer the ducks a good home should contact Bledington Parish Council clerk Julia Edwards on 01608 659396.