MIDWIVES at the Royal Bolton Hospital are celebrating a new arrival with a difference a duckling.

A mallard duck has chosen the courtyard outside the central delivery suite at the Princess Anne Maternity Unit as the place to bring her duckling into the world.

The duck hatched 12 babies in 2003 and staff are so delighted to see their feathered friend again, that they have built a special pond and a nesting box filled with hay.

Now they are watching as baby takes its first cautious strokes in the water.

Jane Gething, matron on the ward, said: "We made sure we dug a special little pool for them and it's amazing watching mother duck teaching her baby to swim.

"It is doing really well and I'd say it can swim a good 25 metres around the pond now."

The duck arrived at the hospital a fortnight ago, and last week the new arrival made his first appearance into the world.

In 2003, staff believe the same duck chose the site to nurture her 12 ducklings after building a nest in shrubbery.

The ducklings were named the 12 disciples by hospital chaplains and they believe the mother duck was so impressed with maternity services at the hospital, that she returned!

Patients and staff alike are delighted with the latest addition to the unit.

Mrs Gething said: "It's a really good distraction for our mums.

Some are even bringing in food for mother duck and her baby. It's really lovely of them to help out."

When the duckling is big enough to leave the enclosure, staff will contact the RSPCA to move it.