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A dog at a historic castle adopted a troop of ducklings after their mother disappeared earlier this month.

Fred, a ten-year-old Labrador, has become the nine ducklings' new dad and has been taking them on walks and swims.

The baby ducks, who have not yet been named, had been seen going around the grounds at Mountfitchet Castle and Norman Village in the past few weeks with their mother.

But last week they were seen on their own and it is feared that the mother hen was killed and eaten by a fox as she laid on the ground.

Jeremy Goldsmith, a director at Mountfitchet Castle and Fred's owner, said that Fred had adopted them after they were seen wandering around by themselves.

Mr Goldsmith said: "He is just such a lovely and loving natured dog. Fred has taken the ducklings under his paw, so to speak. They come into the house and they get in the dog basket.

"They climb all over him, getting up on his head and his back. When he goes swimming, like Labradors like to, all the ducks follow him in and have fun too."

Sometimes when Fred is on his way to the water, the ducks hitch a lift on his back, something that the staff at Mountfitchet have taken pictures and videos of.

They have even enjoyed taking in the sunny weather together, sunbathing and relaxing in the sun as well as climbing all over Fred.

Mr Goldsmith said: "Fred has grown up at this house and we look after a lot of animals at the castle and village.

"Fred is such a loving animal, he has taken upon himself to be a dad, a parent figure, for these ducklings."

Although the ducklings and Fred are currently inseparable, the nine ducklings will soon by joining the rest of the animals living in the castle.