A GRIEVING mayor has been offered a duckling after his previous beloved pet was found beheaded in his neighbour's garden.

Worcester News reader Jeff Harris read about city Councillor Aubrey Tarbuck's drake, Henry, which went missing on New Year's Eve.

Mr Harris has a pair of call ducks, the smallest domestic breed, and has offered one of their offspring when they hatch in a couple of weeks.

Coun Tarbuck said nothing could ever replace Henry, who he raised from the time he was still in his egg, but he has been to see the call ducks and has accepted the offer.

He said: "Henry was unique as I hatched him and cared for him from birth. I felt awful about his death.

"This is a lovely gesture from Mr Harris though and the ducks are an absolute delight. I shall have to get a little house for he or she to sleep in at night or it can come into my house like Henry did."

Mr Harris has a number of pet ducks and always ensures they are shut up for the night to avoid becoming victims of foxes or other animals.

He believes this is what happened to Henry, although Coun Tarbuck is convinced it was a personal attack against him by humans.

Mr Harris said: "I was saddened to hear of Henry's disappearance and the subsequent discovery of his decapitated body. As a life-long animal lover I too have reared many injured or abandoned birds and wildlife. I thought Coun Tarbuck might like a call duck as they are small and ideal for back gardens.

"I have a breeding pair and expect them to lay soon. The ducklings will be ready in about six weeks." Coun Tarbuck is hoping his new pet will have more luck than Henry, who had a short but eventful life.

He was abandoned by his mother while still an egg, and once Coun Tarbuck had hatched him in May, he went under the name of Henrietta for months until it was discovered she was in fact a he.

Then, in September he lost an eye after being attacked by a weasel before being going missing on December 31.