A MOTHER duck and her ducklings have taken up residence at a hospice.

The visitors have settled in the courtyard of St Wilfrid’s Hospice in Eastbourne much to the delight of patients, staff and visitors.

The hospice called out East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service when the birds arrived earlier this week.

As the ducklings are only a couple of days old it was decided to leave them where they are as the hospice building is low and the courtyard a safe environment.

Although there is no pond, there is still enough water available for the family as the hospice has a couple of water features and staff have put out an extra tray.

A hospice spokeswoman said: “There’s lots of duck chat here at the moment and we have a constant chorus of ‘ahhhhs’ as patients, visitors, staff and volunteers stop for a moment to watch them from the windows.

“We owe lots of smiles to these gorgeous creatures and are thrilled to welcome them to our hospice community.”