Dog adopts nine orphaned ducklings

A Labrador has become the proud foster father for nine ducklings near London.

Video shows ‘Fred’ looking completely content as his new ‘children’ happily waddle around – and on - him in the grounds of Mountfitchet Castle, a tourist attraction in Stansted.

The ducklings were found abandoned after their mother disappeared last Thursday.

Any concerns about how the youngsters would cope where quickly quashed when Fred, 10, took charge.

“He has been the best babysitter ever since,” Mountfitchet Castle said in a Facebook post.