MAURICE the grieving gander is spoilt for choice in his search for a new partner following the sudden death of the love of his life Lola.

An appeal in last week's Free Press to help mend the broken heart of the ten-year-old Embden goose resulted in a trio of likely ladies turning up on the doorstep of his Luckwell Bridge home on Exmoor.

Grateful owner Caroline Harding said she had numerous calls from people offering geese to take the place of Lola, whose death left Maurice inconsolable and honking in grief.

But the arrival of Splodge, Chunky and Lucy has definitely put the spring back in his step.

Sylvia Manley and granddaughter Ellie, of Winsford, were the first to contact Caroline just hours after the Free Press hit the newsagents.

Maurice was said to be "over the moon" by the arrival of Splodge and Chunky last weekend.

And when Lucy, a lonely goose offered by Nicky Gibbard, of Dunster, moved in this week, Maurice's gaggle was complete.

"He's turned back into the arrogant gander that he was," said Caroline.

"He's looking very smug and pleased with himself.

"Maurice has a very nice residence and he's already taken them on a guided tour of the place so I think he really is back to his old self."

Caroline said she wanted to thank everyone who had responded to the appeal, which she admitted had caused a few chuckles among her friends and family.