We all have to do it of course – even with a large family the weekly shop is a necessity.

The problem though is sometimes the little ones need a drink so how convenient to find someone at Ely market has provided a nice bowl of drinking water.

For these seven ducklings it was a case of head first into the water, ask questions later, and wait for mum to catch up.

As of course she did, and very proudly watched over her brood as they splashed in the water, probably wondering how quickly and which direction they should take back to the river.

Surprised shoppers at Ely Market today enjoyed the spectacle of watering time at the market and Ely Standard reader Rachel Thomas was on hand to capture this exquisite moment.

Ducklings are resilient little creatures. They need a lot of care and attention in their early days and cannot survive without their mothers for at least two months.

But then, of course, they start to become independent... and by then are able to find their own watering hole.