WATCH: Caithness potholes are so quackers that ducks swim in them

Potholes across Caithness are generally no laughing matter but residents saw the funny side with a Santa gonk waylaid in Wick and an improvised duck pond seen in Lybster.

In the 13 second video taken by Donald Henderson at Golf View Place in Lybster, what appears to be a Muscovy duck can be seen enjoying a splash about in a pothole on the street.

Mr Henderson, a local shop owner, also spotted similar ducks in the village back in November and saw them using potholes to bathe in. He said that some of the village potholes are "very bad with some well over 6" deep". It is thought that the ducks are recent incomers to Lybster and are someone's pets.

The problem of potholes has been constantly highlighted in the paper and last year far north politicians were urged to take a tour of Wick's damaged streets and see for themselves how the town is "falling to bits" due to the issue.

Joanna Coghill, former chairperson of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council, spoke out over the "appalling" state of some local streets and challenged local MSP Maree Todd and MP Jamie Stone to come and see the worst spots for themselves.

Eswyl Fell took a funny picture of a festive gonk sitting in a pothole on Girnigoe Street in Wick and said "the potholes are so bad that Santa fell down one instead of the chimney! Sadly the reindeer are nowhere to be seen!".

She added: "It's just as well we have a sense of humour but the state of our roads is ludicrous. I think they are bad everywhere. Outside the Assembly Rooms they cover the width of the road."

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