STOURBRIDGE police turned wildlife officers to escort a family of ducks seen in the town centre back to the canal during the hottest day of the year yesterday (Tuesday).

Police Community Support Officers were seen walking with a duck and three ducklings by Rimskis cafe and in Lower High Street and @WMPStourbridge later tweeted that the creatures had been escorted safely back to the canal to cool off.

Sergeant Andy Holder, of Stourbridge Police, said: "On Tuesday, the hottest day of the year, officers helped a duck and three ducklings who had become locked in a compound.

"We made contact with the owner of the compound who quickly helped to release the ducks, the team then assisted them through the town back to the canal.

"The team took to the task like ducks to water."