A cheeky blackbird gave a Lane End resident a nice surprise on Bank Holiday Monday when he discovered the avian's alternative abode outside his back door.

Jon Jordan described the moment he noticed the black bird had made a nest in a base of a metal candle holder.

He said: "I opened the back door stepped out onto the decking and in the corner of my eye I caught her beady eye staring at me.

"To my amazement she had built a nest in a circular metal tea candle holder just feet from our back door, it was amazing. I was lost for words.

"We had a cheeky look in the nest later on when she went for a fly and discovered four eggs.

"So Mrs blackbird has found a safe have haven at the back of our house and she will certainly be well looked after."