A pair of white ducks have won the hearts of a company of hardened north country soldiers.

Members of the Normandy Company of The East and West Riding Regiment went quackers when they spotted the fluffy duo for sale as they patrolled a market area of Basrah, in southern Iraq.

They promptly bought them for a dollar each, plus bottles of water, and took them back to their base at the Allenby Lines, at Basrah Airport.

The ducks were given the rank of Warrant Officer 1 and named Norman and Dee after the Normandy Company. Members of the specially formed Territorial Army company, including 12 from Keighley, have used skills from civvy street to build a camouflaged pen, complete with hut and two small ponds.

Sgt Nev Graham, who is based at the Drill Hall, in Keighley, said: "They are our mascots and every member of the company is very protective towards them."

The ducks, which are fed on muesli, carrots and lettuce, have already produced eggs. The members of the company are on a six month tour of duty in Iraq and are due home in a few weeks.