An adorable family of ducks were marched through a County Durham hotel this week as part of an annual tradition which has now been going on for a quarter of a century.

The Hardwick Hall Hotel in Sedgefield once again honoured its yearly tradition yesterday (Friday, May 24) and marched ducks with their chicks to the nearby lake.

Each year ducks move into Neptune Garden, a small courtyard within the hotel which has a namesake statue, and settle there until they give birth.

This year there were ten ducklings in the courtyard with their mother which have now been moved down to the lake for their own safety.

Pictures show the adorable duck joined by her teeny ducklings running across the field towards the lake as staff tried to keep them all together.

Darlington and Stockton Times: The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel.The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Darlington and Stockton Times: The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel.The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Darlington and Stockton Times: The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel.The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Darlington and Stockton Times: The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel.The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

 

Darlington and Stockton Times: The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel.The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Darlington and Stockton Times: The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel.The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Darlington and Stockton Times: The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel.The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Darlington and Stockton Times: The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel.The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Darlington and Stockton Times: The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel.The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Darlington and Stockton Times: The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel.The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Darlington and Stockton Times: The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel.The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Darlington and Stockton Times: The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel.The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Darlington and Stockton Times: The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel.The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel. (Image: REBECCA LOWES)

Darlington and Stockton Times: The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel.The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel. (Image: REBECCA LOWES)

Darlington and Stockton Times: The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel.The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel. (Image: REBECCA LOWES)

Darlington and Stockton Times: The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel.The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel. (Image: REBECCA LOWES)

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Darlington and Stockton Times: The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel.The annual duck march at the Hardwick Hall Hotel. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)