Fatherhood is a tricky time for any new dad. So spare a thought for plucky Slasher, a parent for the first time at the ripe old age of ten.

Slasher, and his female companion Granite, have been trying for a chick for the past nine years.

Now the proud pair are pleased as punch as they listen to the p-p-p-patter of little webbed feet of newborn son Rocky.

The couple have lived together at Drusillas Park since 1993.

But, despite repeated attempts, parenthood had eluded them.

Although they managed to produce ten eggs, all were either infertile or accidentally smashed before they hatched.

But this year Slasher has come up trumps - devotedly incubating the egg through rain, wind and sunshine for months before little Rocky hatched, weighing 93g Now six weeks old, Rocky is getting to know the other 12 penguins with whom he shares his pool and pad at the wildlife park in Alfriston.

In time, he will adopt the same markings as his parents with their distinctive yellow crests and red eyes.

Peter Holmes, head zookeeper, said: "It is quite rare for just one zoo pair of rockhopper penguins to breed in captivity because this species is normally more successful breeding in larger colonies.

"The zoo team is overwhelmed Granite and Slasher have done it at last. It is a tremendous achievement."

With Father's Day coming up at the weekend the team is preparing to give Slasher a party to remember.

Mr Holmes said: "We believe Slasher deserves all the praise possible. It's all down to his hard work that we've achieved this little miracle.

"After eggs are laid, it is the male that will sit incubating the nest, waiting for hatching to begin and sometimes this can take several months."

As a treat for Father's Day, Slasher will be given an extra helping of his favourite fishy delights.

Rockhopper penguins are a vulnerable species, which is globally threatened.

They are found in regions of the sub-Antarctic, along the southernmost areas of South America and Southern Africa.

Drusillas is open from 10am until 6pm.