by Chris Hunter

Nine ducklings have been saved from a drain in a dramatic rescue mission - but the fate of one remains unknown.

Firefighters noticed a group of 10 stricken ducklings after being called to a fire in Upper Fant Road, Maidstone, at 8.32am on Saturday morning.

With the fire quickly extinguished, the crew continued the duckling rescue effort and managed to pull eight of the baby birds from the drain.

At 9.30am two ducklings remained stuck and firefighters continued their efforts until one of the lost birds was pulled free.

The fate of the 10th remains unknown, but the rescuers were putting a brave face on the situation later that afternoon.

"Hopefully it got washed down to the river," said a spokesman.