Walter Hooper thought he had gone quackers when he came across a strange shaped tomato.

Mr Hooper was given the tomato by a friend who tends an allotment in Darlington and he couldn't believe its likeness to a duck.

He has decided to save it from the cooking pot and has it on show at his home in Holmwood Grove, Darlington.

He said: "My friend is in his eighties and has the most amazing allotment. He often gives me things he has grown, but this time he gave me some tomatoes.

"As soon as I saw this one I thought it looked like a duck.

"I can't bring myself to eat it, so I think I will let it die a natural death."