PEOPLE who feed the ducks on the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal and rivers in the area are being warned they could be polluting the water.

The Canal and River Trust said that last year 73% of people in the South-West fed the ducks, 82% of them throwing them bread.

But uneaten soggy bread can cause a build-up of bad nutrients, which can lead to greater algae growth, spread disease and encourage pests such as rats.

The trust is calling on people to make a few simple changes to how they feed the ducks.

Ecologist Laura Plenty said: “Please come and feed the ducks but do it sensibly so your children and future generations can enjoy it too.

“Bread’s not great for a duck’s health as it’s nothing like their natural diet, so don’t over feed them with large quantities of it.

“Try to vary what you give them and swap it for healthier more natural treats like oats, corn, or defrosted frozen peas. And exercise portion control.

“Don’t follow the crowds - spread the love, and visit a new family of ducks to prevent large quantities of the starchy duck ‘junk food’ from clogging up the same places and potentially damaging the environment.”

She added that throwing bread into a canal or river can create overcrowding of bird populations, as the birds will flock to the same location in search of their starchy treat.

Too many ducks or waterfowl in one place can stress the birds and lead to their habitats being damaged.

It also creates excessive amounts of bird poo, which, along with being smelly and slippery underfoot, can have a negative effect on water quality and create harmful algae which can clog the waterway.

The charity has created a free booklet packed with tips on the right food to feed the ducks which includes lots of activities for children.

To receive this, along with your free Quack Snack pouch to store your healthy duck treats, Text DUCKS to 70060.