A same-sex penguin couple at Sea Life London has welcomed their first adopted chick.

The female gentoo penguin couple, Marama and Rocky, have been together for five years and were chosen to adopt an egg by the aquarium’s team after demonstrating they would make good parents.

The egg was taken from its birth mother in a bid to relieve her of the pressure of raising two chicks, the aquarium noted.

The new arrival’s name and gender has yet to be revealed.

Speaking of the recent hatching, Graham McGrath, Sea Life’s general manager, said the couple were taking parenting “in their stride”.

"Marama and Rocky have taken to becoming parents like ducks to water - or should I say penguins,” McGrath said.

"Caring for a newborn is tough for anyone, from the sleepless nights to the constant feeding, yet this wonderful pair of penguin parents are completely unflappable and seem to be taking it all in their stride." Read more via Independent