Plastic duck washes ashore on Islay after 20-year trip from Dublin

A plastic duck released into a Dublin river two decades ago has finally washed ashore - more than 100 miles away on the isle of Islay.

The bath toy was among 150,000 ducks released into the River Liffey in 2006, with the intention of travelling one mile down the river.

However, the world record attempt saw many of the ducks veer dramatically off course. In recent years they have been found on the Isle of Man and in Orkney.

The latest discovery was made by 12-year-old Emil Wrede, from Germany. He was holidaying with his family on the island when he and his sister Hannah spotted it on the shore of Lagavulin bay.

Although faded, lettering and numbering on the duck are still visible, despite the years it has spent at sea.

Emil's father Daniel told BBC Scotland News the family were delighted to have found the far-travelled duck.

"We had a stroll around the ruins of Dunivaig Castle near Lagavulin and then found the duck on the shore of the Lagavulin bay right by the castle," he said.

"It lay covered in mud, but it has found a new occupation in our accommodation - it is accompanying us in the hot tub."

The family realised the history of the plastic duck after seeing stories online about others from the Dublin attempt washing ashore.

The family are regular visitors to Scotland, with Daniel having fallen in love with the country about 30 years ago when tackling the West Highland Way.

The ducks were released from the Millennium Bridge in Dublin to raise money for charity, with the original winner of the race landing a trip to America as their prize.

In 2009, the world record for the largest plastic duck race was set, with 205,000 ducks racing down the River Thames.

However in recent years some environmental campaigners have raised concerns about the impact of this kind of race, saying they can litter rivers.