An owl has been rescued and released back into the wild after falling into a lit fire.

Volunteers from Kent Wildlife Rescue Service raced to help the bird after receiving a call from a worried elderly couple in Upchurch, near Sittingbourne, who had seen it drop into the flames when they lit the fire.

Volunteer Vivien Smith said: "When we got the call I feared the worst. I imagined the owl would be badly burned. In many cases it can be the worst case when we arrive. "

She explained how the couple had lit the fire at their home in Upchurch and the owl had immediately dropped down from the chimney.

"They acted very quickly in getting him out," she added.

"They found a box to put him in and called us straight away. We rushed down as quickly as we could and took him to be assessed for any injuries or health concerns."

She said the couple did not know how long he had been up there as they had not lit the fire for a long time.

Wally, as the owl was christened, was kept with Kent Wildlife Rescue Service for a couple of days to be checked over and monitored.

When the team was satisfied he was fit enough to leave, they returned him to a wild spot close to the couple's home.

"We went to an area a little further away from the house as the couple were worried there were a lot of cats and foxes nearby that might catch him," Vivien said.

"The owls always get their bearings and find their way home.

"He flew off into the nearest tree without any hesitation or concern."