THE FATE OF two ducklings is hanging in the balance as firefighters battle to save them from a drain.

Crews noticed six ducklings trapped in a drain in Upper Fant Road, Maidstone, after being called to a fire in a nearby shop at 8.32am this morning.

By 9.30am the fire had been dealt with but one crew continued the duckling rescue effort, and managed to pull four of the baby birds from the drain.

Two of the ducklings remain missing.