They can be the difference between life and death, and have dealt with all manner of emergencies.

Eastern Daily Press: Members of the Norwich DLO team rescue a baby duck. Picture: Norwich DLOs @EEAST_CNDLOsMembers of the Norwich DLO team rescue a baby duck. Picture: Norwich DLOs @EEAST_CNDLOs (Image: Archant)

But today ambulance workers faced an unusual challenge - when a duckling got stuck in a drain outside the East of England Ambulance Service call centre in Hellesdon.

Photos of the duck family were posted on the twitter account of the ambulance trust's Norwich DLOs (duty locality officers) after the rescue today.

'Technical rescue at HQ!' a spokesman said. 'Mother duck had lost a baby down the drain!!!'

Eastern Daily Press: Members of the Norwich DLO team rescue a baby duck. Picture: Norwich DLOs @EEAST_CNDLOsMembers of the Norwich DLO team rescue a baby duck. Picture: Norwich DLOs @EEAST_CNDLOs (Image: Archant)