DUCKLINGS Winston, Max, Ricky, Squeak and Merlin have all hatched out in The Churchill School incubator in Hawkinge during the past week. It was the first thing head teacher Jennie Carter ordered so her pupils could experience the miracle of life.

The baby birds have been swimming in a flooded sandpit, are being gently dabbed dry in a towel and sleeping under a comforting hot lamp. Merlin started life with a poorly eye, but a few drops of ointment soon sorted that out.

In the next few days the quintet will be returning to the farm at Woodchurch where the eggs were laid. The children will soon be caring for goose and pheasant eggs.