In a shock revelation today, the Daily Snail has alleged that the two Ducks disqualified from the 2009 Stretton Duck Race for taking helium have been cleared to take part in this year’s race.

The Snail article claims that at a secret meeting of the FIDR (Federation Internationale de Duck Racing) held on Monday the two ducks had their suspensions reduced to a year - which means they will be eligible to race on the 29th May.

Avoiding the press - Completely Quackers and World Wide Web Feet

Unsurprisingly, the Daily Snail considers this to be an outrage and demands the resignation of everyone involved.  Further revelations are promised by the Snail on Sunday.

World Wide Web Feet and Completely Quackers have apparently shown great remorse since being suspended last year. They have given up all stimulants and have travelled the country helping ducks in distress, giving lectures to ducklings on the dangers of drug misuse and working as volunteers in homes for deserted eggs.  They will need to have been able to comply with the new Formula One Racing Duck requirements; both have lost weight and should be able to stay upright as they travel down the demanding Stretton course in Carding Mill Valley. They will, however, be very far from race fit and even if they are allowed to race it will be a matter of duck luck if they are able to make a good showing. On the other hand, the Carding Mill course is notoriously unpredictable.

FIDR officials were unavailable to confirm or deny the Snail’s allegations today. If the two ducks have been reinstated, the decision will prove controversial - and there is bound to be fevered debate in Mrs Spandrzyk’s class in Church Stretton Primary School.