SIX far-from-ugly ducklings have been making quite a splash at a Ferndown school.

The fluffy ducklings hatched out at Ferndown First School just over two weeks ago, delighting children in reception and Year One classes.

Pupils watched eagerly as the first of the eggs started to crack in the incubator.

Year leader Debbie Budden said: “The children have loved the ducklings being here.

“They have been writing instructions on how to look after them and watched them swim for the first time in our water tray.

“They have all had a chance to handle the ducklings, learn about looking after animals and life cycles.”

Children voted for names for the ducklings, which they kept in a cage and incubator in the four-class Little Gems base. Two of the little chaps are called Daffy and Daisy, after the Disney characters.

The ducklings hatched earlier than expected over a weekend, but children got to see one arriving.

A parent from the school donated the eggs and is going to take them home again soon.

Mrs Budden said: “We’re hoping they will come back for a visit so we can see how much they have grown.”

The ducklings formed part of a ‘Planet Earth’ topic on different animals and places around the world.