A MOTHER duck took a brood under her wing at the Dorset Echo headquarters in Weymouth.

Eleven delightful ducklings won the hearts of staff and visitors after nesting in the shrubbery outside the office on the Granby Industrial Estate.

Carolyn Le Page, who works in the reception area, said yesterday: "Everyone is going quackers over them because they are absolutely gorgeous."

Building maintenance engineer Kevin Frampton has nicknamed the mallard Big Fat Momma. He escorted the ducks off the premises to keep them out of the way of vehicles driving in and out of the car park.

Kevin said: "The ducklings need water and now they are off to Radipole Lake for their first swimming lessons.

"Ducks nest outside the Dorset Echo nearly every year, but we are not allowed to touch the fledglings in case they then get disowned by the parents."