WHEN she came home from shopping, Carol Bater never expected to be greeted by some uninvited waddling guests.

For a mother and ducklings have moved into her garden pond in Bournemouth and now she wants them to “go back where they belong”.

The 68-year-old housewife from Bear Wood said: “We went shopping and came back to chaos.

“A lady had to stop her car after the mother and babies were crossing the road.

“So my neighbour took them in and kept them in her bath before asking me if I would take them and temporarily keep them in my pond.”

She added: “Of course they had to go somewhere for the moment.

“But I had the pond cleaned only three weeks ago and the ducks seem to think they’re in paradise here.

“The RSPCA said that they should be left alone or we should open the garden gate and let them waddle out to wherever they want to go but I live on a main road and I just can’t do that.

“What I would like is if someone who knows something about ducks could bring a net to carefully catch them and then take the mother and babies to Longham to the river, so that they can go back where they belong.

“The mother is very protective of her young which is understandable. But I have been told it could be weeks before the birds move on. I just want my pond back so that I can clean it out again and then let the fish swim around.”

If you know anything about ducks and can help, you can call Carol Bater on 01202 572494.