POLICE were 'quack' off the mark after reports of DUCKS on the M65 this morning.

North West Motorway Police were called to remove a duck and ducklings from the hard shoulder on J12 at around 8.42am but could not trace the animals.

Fortunately though, after a quick search, the animals were located safely in a field minutes later to the relief of officers, who shared their thoughts on the social media.

In one one Twitter post, North West Motorway Police said: "J12 M65 area searched no trace for a duck and ducklings on the hard shoulder."

In another they said: "The M65 duck and ducklings have been located they are safely in a field..."

The incident also prompted chuckles from people on social media.

James David Heyworth tweeted: "Quack response team."

Mark Hartt tweeted: "Quackers."

It follows an 'unmoolieveable' week involving animals on the M65.

Last Friday, a cow which got onto the M65 was 're-mooved' by police after it was spotted on the embankment on the eastbound carriageway near J7.