WE all know it's been a miserable spring - but who would have guessed it's even too cold for penguins.

The wind, rain, hail and sleet of the past few weeks has made life unbearable for the chicks at Flamingoland Zoo, near Malton, North Yorkshire.

But vets have ensured they will survive the most miserable April for years - by placing them in intensive care at the zoo's hospital.

Six penguins are in incubators at the hospital, sleeping on heated mattresses and under tiny blankets, and receiving round-the-clock care.

Penguin keeper Nina Hingley has been given the task of nursing the Peruvian chicks back to health and is checking their temperatures every three hours during the night.

She also weighs and measures them each morning to ensure they are making a steady recovery from their first brush with the British elements.

The animals hatched over the past few weeks at the zoo, but staff noticed their mothers were struggling to keep them warm.

Zoo manager Andrew Melton said: "Easter is when you expect a bit of warm weather but it has been absolutely diabolical.

"In South America, the weather is perfect for chicks at this time of the year. Our cold spring is bad enough for humans, but they can't stand it.

"So we are doing everything possible to keep them snug and warm - and alive.

"At the same time, we are hoping to get some sunshine so they can come out and show themselves to our visitors.

"Everyone loves a baby penguin."