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SHOPPERS and store staff staged a dramatic ‘Great Escape’ rescue on Saturday morning after a mother duck was tragically killed near a busy Marks & Spencer car park.

The incident began on a sad note when a mother duck was struck and killed by a vehicle in Dumfries.

Her ten newly-hatched ducklings were left scattered and vulnerable, darting between moving cars and hiding beneath tyres.

What followed was a heart-warming display of teamwork where shoppers and staff immediately halted their morning routines to secure the area.

In a post shared by M&S Dumfries, the store expressed deep gratitude to the “lovely customers” who refused to move their vehicles until every duckling was accounted for.

Nine of the ten ducklings were initially saved but after a final search, the last one was found alive under a car.

They were taken to Bard Vets initially but then the ducklings, now known as the ‘M&S Ducklings’, were moved to the South of Scotland Wildlife Hospital.

They were put in an incubator to rest and were initially too stressed to eat. However, they are now enjoying chick crumb and fresh greens with mealworms as a treat.

The ten ducklings will remain at the hospital for several weeks and will be moved to a practice pond to help them develop the skills needed to return to the wild.

A spokesman for the hospital said: “Three days ago we were contacted by the SSPCA to say they were on their way with ducklings. Not just any ducklings, M&S ducklings.

“Sadly their mum had been ran over in the street and the wee ducklings were left orphaned. They were rounded up by fantastic passers by and taken to our vets. They will be with us for a good while and with them eating so well, they will soon move up to their next sized enclosures and eventually be out in the pond to learn diving skills and strengthen their wings and legs for eventual release.

“There are many more birds nesting in urban areas and then they walk their young to the river/pond. Please be aware of this when driving and slow down to let them pass.

“Huge thank you to everyone who helped these wee guys.”

n The hospital depends on public support. People can donate via their website, their Facebook ‘donate’ button, or by purchasing items from their Amazon Wishlist.