THREE weeks ago, 18 duck eggs were placed in an incubator in the foyer at RHS Garden Rosemoor.

Staff were expecting the ducklings to hatch out today (Thursday) in time for the Easter weekend, but were surprised when a week early some tweeting was heard and a chick hatched.

Perfectly happy and keeping warm among the eggs, the chick is settling in fine at Rosemoor.

He will be put into a brooder where he will have to be patient for the ducklings to appear next week. He is already the centre of attention for staff and visitors.

 It seems like there was a mix-up with the eggs and a chicken's egg was placed with the duck's eggs — as a chicken's incubation period is 21 days and a duck's 28 days, the 'ugly duckling' has a week's head start on the real ducklings.  

Rosemoor's Easter Egg Trail runs from tomorrow (Friday) until Monday April 5 from 10am to 4pm. If visitors follow the Easter clues around the garden, they can win some chocolate treasure.