Ducks are dying needlessly at Keighley Tarn after being dumped by uncaring owners, a bird lover has revealed.

Dorothy Tennant says domesticated ducks are regularly left to fend for themselves at the beauty spot.

She said muscovy ducks were particularly at risk because they get run over while crossing Black Hill Lane to eat grass from the opposite verge.

Mrs Tennant said about half-a-dozen muscovys were dumped each year and within weeks all of them have been killed.

She was, this week, hoping to catch the current six-strong flock, with permission from Bradford Council’s wildlife department. She said: “We have several people who already have waterfowl and are willing to give them good homes.”

Mrs Tennant said other breeds of duck are also being dumped and they were not suited to living in the wild. She added: “It’s quite cruel when they’ve been fed corn and now they’re only getting bread."