FIREFIGHTERS showed their softer side by rescuing nine of a mother duck's ducklings.

A concerned woman spotted the duck with four of her babies quacking next to a grate in Lower Antley Street, Accrington, on Sunday about 3pm.

On further inspection, she then saw that nine other ducklings had fallen into the drain and were unable to get out. She called the fire service who answered the SOS.

Hyndburn Blue Watch manager Stephen Horrocks said: "She must have been waddling along and most of her ducklings had fallen down the drain.

"There was a car parked over the drain but a firefighter managed to slide under and get the drain open.

"One by one, he lifted them out and then we got a box and collected all 13 ducklings and caught mum too.

"We then took them to the canal and released and they happily swam off."