Ducklings rescued after getting stuck in chimney

Crews from the RSPCA and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service used an aerial ladder to free the ducklings and their mother

Nine ducklings who were hatched in a chimney have been rescued after their mother got stuck in the stack.

A neighbour contacted the RSPCA and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service after hearing the baby mallards in distress in the roof of a house at Thistledene in Thames Ditton, Surrey, on 17 June.

Eight of the ducklings were rescued by crews using an aerial ladder to reach the 50ft (15m) high stack, but the ninth duckling fell and was caught by a neighbour in a net.

RSPCA deputy chief inspector Sandy Barlow said the ducklings were rescued "in the nick of time" as they were "vulnerable to predators and the extreme heat".

The ducklings are being cared for by a swan rescue centre until they are ready to return to the wild

Ms Barlow added: "A member of the public heard a commotion and saw some fluffy down on the chimney pot."

She thanked the fire service for attending the rescue, including crews from Esher Fire Station and Guildford.

"The local residents were also brilliant," she added.

The birds were all unhurt and have been named after their rescuers, including Toddy and Wardy.

They are now in the care of the Swan Support rescue centre in Bray until they can be released back into the wild.

The ducklings have been named after their rescuers, including "Toddy" and "Wardy"

Despite attempts to reunite the ducklings with their mother, she said it was "highly unlikely" they would have followed her onto the river, half a mile away from the property.

"Mallards normally nest on dry ground near to water, so the ducklings would have struggled to stay with their mother to find food," she said.

The ducklings' mother flew away after being freed from the chimney stack

The RSPCA reminded the public that birds who choose to nest in chimneys as an alternative to trees should be left alone as they are protected by law.

But it added that "when an animal is in need, the quicker they get help the better", ideally by being taken to a vet.

"In this case due to the height of the rescue it was important that fire crews attended for health and safety reasons," the charity added.