There may be no ponds or rivers nearby but that hasn’t deterred a family of ducks from waddling into Welshpool town centre every day.

Shopkeepers in aptly named Puzzle Square are baffled as to why the three ducks find the paved area so tempting.

The birds make an appearance up to four times a day and have won the hearts of traders.

Simon Jenks, owner of Tints and Tones decorating shop, said the ducks had been visiting Puzzle Square for the past three to four weeks.

He said: “They are lovely little things. They come early in the morning, again a couple of hours later and often around lunchtime.

“I have even seen them asleep behind the shop on occasion. Nobody seems to know exactly where they have come from or where they go afterwards.”

Angela Tanner, of Peppers restaurant, said: “They just seemed to start coming here, but I do not know where from. They come around a few times a day. People who work on the square have really taken them to heart.

“We leave some food and drink out for them and they finish it off and then leave for another couple of hours.”

Meanwhile, police are still appealing for information after another three ducks were killed in the town on Sunday night.

Two dead ducks were found dumped in Church Street car park and another was left hanging from the night toilet close to the car park.

Police branded the incident a “sick joke” and have urged anyone with information to contact them on 0845 3302000.