DURAN the peacock could be said to be following in the early footsteps of his original owner John Taylor by becoming cock of the walk among his harem of peahens at a Devizes countryside centre.

The peacock, donated by Mr Taylor who, at the height of his fame with Duran Duran was known for his wild boy way with women, was left pining last year after his mate Duran Duran died after being run over at Caen Hill.

But after the Gazette ran a story, Chris and Helie Franklin, who run Caenhill Countryside Centre, were given three peahens by Whitehall Garden Centre at Lacock and another by a woman from Trowbridge.

Now Duran is a doting dad as the first of a number of eggs laid by his girlfriends has hatched and little Peanut is now one of the star attractions at the centre.

Mr Franklin said: "Duran was pining after the accident but he is very happy now. He is so in demand with the ladies he doesn't know what to do with himself. Now we know the eggs being laid by the peahens have been fertilised we will be letting them sit on their nests.

"To begin with we put them in an incubator to see if they would hatch and Peanut was the first result."

Mr Franklin said that Duran and Duran Duran were given to the centre by Mr Taylor, who now lives a quiet life in west Wiltshire, after he heard about the work of the centre.

Mr Franklin said: "We were very grateful as they can be very expensive to buy. We are now expecting the fertilised eggs to be very popular with people who want to hatch their own chick.

"After people heard about the accident we were also given the peahens which was very kind."

The centre is a not for profit business which works with the community to give children the opportunity to see a working farm in action on a number of courses. The couple also work with schools to provide lessons on agriculture, horticulture and rural skills.

The farm has ten themed areas including an orchard, growing area, crops and animal areas.

Visitors can only visit by appointment but are always made welcome and there is the opportunity to adopt a number of animals including rescued battery hens.

Mr Franklin said: "We are always taking in animals. Recently we have had an injured jackdaw, hedgehogs and even a pig.

Mr Taylor has published his autobiography under the title A Wild Boy's Road to Redemption.

To arrange a visit or find out about courses ring 07816 816125.