THIS is the moment a family of three-day-old ducklings were rescued from the bottom of a road drain - after their mum was run over and killed.

The clip shows the six mallards chirping as they are lifted to safety by wildlife carers and placed in a cardboard box.

They were taken back to Secret World Wildlife Centre in Somerset where they were placed under a heat lamp to warm up.

Marlies (corr) Hebdon, who works at the centre, says the ducklings are "recovering well".

She said: "We were phoned by a member of the public who was driving along and saw a car in front hit the mother duck.

"She died and the ducklings scattered.

"By the time two of our rescuers got there the ducklings had fallen down a drain.

"We will put them into a rehab pen with more ducklings and, when they can fly, we will leave them at local water sources.

"It's our duty to look out for them because without a parent they wouldn't have protection.

"They snuggle under the mum at night and she shows them where to get food and water.

"The ducklings would die in the cold without heat.

"We give them a toy duck to snuggle up to - they tend to snuggle up to a soft toy."

Rescue volunteers Kat McNabb and Chris Liu recovered the ducklings from a main road in Long Ashton, Bristol, last week.

Secret World Wildlife Rescue posted the video on their Facebook page.

Madeline Taylor wrote: "Thank you for rescuing them... poor mummy."

Ann Beswick wrote: "Thank you for doing this, so very heartbreaking to hear their mum was killed."

Claire Bessex wrote: "How wonderful. THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS for helping all our wildlife. You’re all fab."

Dave Martin wrote: "Well done in saving them. Good luck little ones."

Gavin Williams wrote: "There are some lovely people in the world..! Don't tell me the driver couldn't see the duck in the road..! It's just a bit of fun to some people..!"

Jacqueline Harrup wrote: "Well done! A pity drain covers aren’t designed to prevent small creatures falling in."