It was hoped the ducks would help produce much-needed ducklings

Ben and Jerry were meant to fall for Cherry and help produce some much-needed ducklings.

Instead, the two drakes only had eyes for each other – and have been inseparable ever since.

Paul Stevens, warden of Arundel Wetland Centre in West Sussex, said: “To our surprise the two males really took to each other.

"It would have been nice to get a last clutch of eggs from Cherry but Ben and Jerry do make a lovely couple.”

TV wildlife expert Chris Packham said: “Ducks are one of the few species that show homosexual behaviour regularly.”

But the gay love story does nothing to help the endangered blue duck, with just 2,500 now left in their native New Zealand.