Ducknappers have struck at a popular Keswick B&B.
But what could have been a sad indictment of modern society has turned into a heart-warming tale of community spirit.
Three years ago Chris Edwards, who has run the family-owned Acorn House guesthouse for 20 years, noticed a puddle had formed on a flat roof attached to the property on Ambleside Road.
A few days later, he saw that an unknown prankster had left a rubber duck floating in the water.
As word spread, more ducks appeared until there were more than 15 on the makeshift pond – and they quickly became an internet sensation.
Last week, however, Chris awoke to discover that all but two of them had been stolen.
“We had all sorts of different ducks out there,” he said. “One looked like the Queen, another like Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer…we even had one with a note attached saying it had come from Greece.
“It was all a bit of a laugh, but they’d become very popular and certainly helped put us on the map. Then, overnight, they were gone.”
Chris thinks the thieves must have struck at night, and suspects local kids may have been responsible.
But within hours of the news being posted on Facebook, he opened the front door to discover a duck on the step. Now five more have appeared, courtesy of anonymous donors.
“It really restores your faith in human nature,” said Chris. “There was I thinking the ducks were gone for good, and yet people have rallied round to save the day.
“Maybe the thieves developed a conscience,” he added. “Either way, I’m just glad that they’re back. And who knows – maybe we’ll need a bigger puddle.”
