WORRIED staff at an Isle of Wight wildlife centre have turned to a toy bird to p-p-perk up their penguins.

A colony of baby birds were so nervous of their new surroundings they refused to explore and spent days in a frightened huddle.

Concerned keepers hit upon the idea of using a stuffed penguin to befriend the timid birds and put them at their ease.

To their surprise the jittery Jackass penguins immediately took a shine to the cuddly puppet.

As staff moved the cuddly toy, called Bob, around the rocks in their play pen all seven creatures waddled after their new friend.

Now puzzled visitors to Amazon World in Newchurch, Isle of Wight, can watch the barmy birds following their cuddly playmate around the enclosure.

The penguins, which are about seven months old, even appear concerned when their new pal falls over or refuses to join them for a swim.

Amazon World's owner Derek Curtis said: "The birds were rather nervous so we decided to use a stuffed toy from the gift shop to make them feel at home.

"We used a piece of string to pull 'Bob' along and to our amazement they all began following him. I just fell about laughing.

"You could almost see them thinking 'well if he thinks it's alright to go up that path it must be.'

"Now they troop round after Bob as if he's the leader of their gang. We place him on some rocks and they rush round to be with him.

"The penguins seem much happier now and are out on show for everyone to see.

"The only thing that really seems to puzzle them is when they all go for a dip and Bob doesn't join them. But we can't make him swim - he just sinks."

The Jackass penguins arrived at their state-of-the-art-home at the conservation centre from London Zoo and Banham Zoo in Norfolk last week.

The breed is on the verge of extinction and Amazon World hopes its colony will mate so some can be returned to their natural home on the southern tip of Africa.