Police officers did not quack under the pressure as they rescued a mum and her children from a perilous situation yesterday.

The family in question may have been a family of ducks - but that did not stop police from coming to their aid.

The officers were on patrol in a car when they spotted a female mallard duck and four ducklings in Denmark Road at 5.20pm on Wednesday.

Your Local Guardian:

Officers herd the birds along Denmark Road

PC Paul James, PC Darren Salter and PC Andrew McDonnell saw the birds were in danger and promptly stopped traffic so they could herd the animals 500m along the road before encouraging them into the river Wandle and to the safety of Wilderness Island.

PC McDonnell said: "It was a bit different from our usual duties but the public were very supportive - if slightly amused.

"It was a quacking team effort"

Your Local Guardian:

The ducks swim off to safety