A YOUNG girl wrote to Bourton-on-the-Water Parish Council to ask whether or not she could adopt one of the ducks in the local river.

The girl, who had fallen in love with one of the ducks she saw every day in the river, was however told that it would not be good idea to bring home a wild duck.

The parish council responded to the child's correspondence letter after a meeting on January 4.

She was told that the council did not own the duck and that the duck would be happier in the river where it would be able to see the young girl every day.

Bryan Sumner, chairman of the parish council, said: "A girl asked to adopt one of the ducks she had fallen in love with in the river. It's not our duck. She drew a fancy to this duck. She wanted to take it back to her garden and wanted our permission to do it.

"We have no control over the ducks. Ducks enjoy being free to go as they please."

Are you the parent of the young girl who asked to adopt a duck in Bourton? Get in touch: call 01285 627319 or email ann.yip@wiltsglosstandard.co.uk.