Flue liners for woodburners 'should be regularly checked for bird nests'

Flue liners for woodburners and wood stove pipes should be regularly serviced, in case birds decide to build a nest in the intervening periods between seasonal use.

Crawley-based company Wayne Sweep recently removed a "huge" jack doors bird next from a chimney in Inglenook, West Sussex.

The workmen report on the company's website that the nest took over two hours to remove, despite the nest having been constructed in just one season.

Owners of the home were able to ascertain that the nest had been built during that time because the stove had been used regularly in the previous season.

Attention was drawn to the blockage in the flue accessories above the woodburner when the stove was lit and the room filled with smoke.

Bird nests often contain more than just flammable wood, as the animals often salvage other material to construct their nest.

Mud, animal fur and grass are often found in nests - and this combustible material could prove a serious threat to the safety of a house if not properly serviced.