A PAIR of expert escapists are on the loose in Worcester.

Two mandarin ducks were spotted splashing around in the pool at Gheluvelt Park, and a wildfowl expert believes they could have escaped from somebody's private collection.

Retired Brian Cambridge, aged 69, of Waterworks Road, Barbourne, saw the colourful birds while he was walking through the park one morning.

He said: "I go for a daily stroll with my dog. This day I noticed these two unusual ducks. Their markings were so eye-catching. They were resident for about a week and looked to be quite at home. And they weren't being chased off by the mallards."

Mr Cambridge managed to capture the birds on camera before they moved on.

The male of the species stands out because of long orange feathers on the side of his face. Wildfowl expert Sandy Lee, who runs the Bishops Wood Swan Rescue Centre, near Stourport, said the birds could have been flyaway pets.

She said: "Mandarins are indigenous to this country, but you don't often see them. This is because, as ornamental birds, they are normally kept in private collections.

"They probably escaped rather than being abandoned. They are quite good flyers."

The birds are originally from eastern Asia, but are quite settled in Britain.

Mrs Lee added: "Last winter there were some sightings on the River Severn.

"Perhaps they have been moving around and realised the Gheluvent pond was a good place to get fed."