A BLUE TIT has betrayed a bizarre fondness for ash by building its next among stubbed-out cigarettes.

Maintenance staff at St Aidan's College, Durham, were astounded to spot the bird flying into the metal grid of a cigarette box on the college's main entrance.

On closer examination, they discovered that the nicotine-loving creature had nested in the container.

Maintenance manager Dennis Sharp said he could not understand why it had chosen the location.

"We've got lots of birds' nests around but we've never had one in the ash tray," he said.

"The students think it's fantastic - the vast majority haven't had anything to do with wildlife, so as soon as we get anything like ducks on the pond, the girls get very protective.

"The guys are just as bad if not worse."

Mr Sharp said that while he was unsure if there were eggs in the nest, he had put a notice up stopping students from using the container as a precaution.

"We have tried to keep it quiet, but once the message gets out, it's difficult to," he said.

"It's exam time, so it's taking a bit of the stress away."