It's a full house at chez Jemima

12:41pm Monday 12th May 2008

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HOSPICE patients have been welcoming 13 furry new arrivals to their pond following the death of two resident ducks.

St Richard's Hospice's own purpose-built duck house had until recently two ducks, Jemima and Geraldine, and drake Jimmy living there but the latter two were killed by a fox, last week.

However, staff were amazed to see another duck mysteriously arrive within a few days to keep Jemima company and even more surprised when it appeared at the waterside with 13 ducklings in tow, on Thursday.

Tricia Cavell, fund-raising manager at the Worcester hospice, Wildwood Drive, said: "Jemima was looking very lost and lonely and then she was joined by another female duck.

"The day patients have all been out looking at the ducklings and the in-patients have been on their patios watching them."

She added Jemima, the proud new mother and her brood were all getting along swimmingly.