RESIDENTS at a Poole care home has welcomed a new member into the fold – a pet duck rescued from the side of the road.

Now named Daisy, the duck was discovered next to the Upton Bypass by a member of care home staff.

Daisy was suffering from tarmac burns, but kitchen assistant Marie Hunt took her in and gave her a new home.

Marie works with a number of animal charities and is often called to look after abandoned creatures.

She brought Daisy into Dorset House, a residential and dementia care home at Coles Avenue, Hamworthy, so residents could say hello.

A spokesman for Care South, the charity that runs the home, said: "We put care at the heart of everything we do at Care South, which is reflected in Marie's kind actions.

"We are glad to hear Daisy is doing well after her ordeal and would be delighted if she were to visit the residents again.

"Research has shown the positive effect interactions with animals can have on care home residents, which is reflected in the engaging activities we put on in our care homes across the south, and it is always a joy to see residents' faces light up when they get to spend time with them."