Fishy surprise comes down chimney

A koi carp found alive in the blazing grate of a Mansfield pensioner is thought to have been dropped by a heron down his chimney.

Bill Brooks rescued the fish and kept it alive by placing it in his warm bath and feeding it bread.

The carp is now doing well at an aquarium in the town.

Mr Brooks then called the Wildlife Rescue centre in Mansfield. Spokesman Terry March said the creature was lucky to have survived its ordeal.

"It had come down his chimney, it actually landed on an open fire, bounced off the fire then landed on the hearth.

"But it was jet black so he poured water over it and when he poured water over it, it just flipped with its tail," he said.

"Then he picked it up and put it into his bath, then just came up and asked me to come and fetch it."