DON'T worry about the ducks!

That was the message today from an animal charity after worried Birkby residents expressed fears over the area's wildfowl.

The ducks and other birds living on a former mill pond are now splashing about in mud.

Their once-full dam has dried up to little more than a muddy puddle and there were concerns they would suffer - _ or even fall prey to predators, such as foxes and cats.

But the good news for local residents worried about the ducks came from the RSPCA.

A spokesman said: "Ducks and other wild birds are well used to dealing with rapidly changing conditions.

"They have a built-in instinct to find water and will do so if their own environment suffers."

The concerns were raised by people living around Middlemost Pond, off Norwood Road.

It was originally a dam for the old Middlemost's Mill, but will be remembered by many as the site of the former Asda store.

Susan Clark, who lives in Middlemost Close, said: "The pond has been cleaned up over the past two years and it was lovely to see all the ducks and wildfowl there.

"Now we are very worried. Many of the ducks have given birth to ducklings, but they are splashing around in only a muddy puddle.

"The stream that feeds the dam has virtually dried up and what was once a lovely expanse of water is rapidly disappearing.

"We are fearful that the ducks - especially the ducklings - will be killed by predators."

But RSPCA officials insist the ducks will survive, flying off to find temporary homes on other patches of water before returning as the dam fills again.

The spokesman said: "It may be that lack of rain or some problems with the stream are to blame. But worry not. The ducks will survive."