SEARCH parties were sent out and calls from concerned residents made to the council after a young family went missing from Waltham Forest Town Hall.

Rumours were rife this week after the family of ducks that had been staying in the town hall grounds, Forest Road, Walthamstow, mysteriously disappeared.

Just one lonely youngster was left behind after the birds vanished without a trace on Friday. It is believed there were two adults and six of their young nesting in the grounds.

Several worried residents contacted the Guardian after hearing a rumour that the ducks had been killed by the council.

But the council is keen to put speculation to rest, and a spokeswoman insisted that no action had been taken to remove the ducks.

"It seems the ducks walked away on Saturday morning when the work to clean the fountain started and have hopefully found a home more to their liking as they haven't been seen since," the spokeswoman said.

A member of council staff contacted the RSPCA after seeing the young duck that had been left behind.

The spokeswoman said the RSPCA inspector advised that the duckling would eventually rejoin its family or link up with another group of birds when its wings were fully grown. For the time being it is said to be in good health.

Over the past few years the ducks have been welcomed by residents and council employees who come to see them, bringing titbits of bread.

The birds usually stay over the summer months and move on as the weather cools down.

According to the council spokeswoman the ducks may have flown off to nearby Lloyd Park.