Keepers at an east Kent animal park have been left stunned after the flourishing of an unlikely friendship.

A mother and child-like bond has developed between Percy the penguin and Wendy the wallaby at Wingham Wildlife Park near Canterbury.

Keeper Tony Binskin was lost for words when the pair - whose natural habitats couldn’t be more different - became inseparable.

He said: “At first we were very worried when Percy wasn’t with the rest of the group, and worry soon turned to disbelief when we saw where he had been hiding.

“Penguins can often form very close bonds with humans, especially people who look after them, but this is the first time I have ever heard of a penguin bonding with a wallaby, especially quite so closely.

“Wallabies are very protective of their babies when in the pouch and often won’t let anyone else near them, let alone hop in.

“Wendy has recently sadly lost her joey and had been looking very down, this unexpected opportunity has allowed her to overcome it. We fully encourage close encounters between our visitors and animals, but such a close encounter between two of our animals is something else.”