THE little box on the wall was intended for the cigarette ends which people discard before entering the manor - but nobody told the birds.

A pair of blue tits decided it would do very nicely as a nesting box and set up home inside.

That was fine until someone decided to drop a cigarette end in the box, almost setting the nest on fire!

The box is situated just outside the entrance to the leisure club at Aldwark Manor Hotel, near Easingwold.

Sales manager Katie Pennock said that after the birds were spotted nesting inside some weeks ago, a notice was put up asking people not to use it.

In spite of the notice, someone dropped a cigarette end in last week. Fortunately staff spotted the nest smouldering and prevented a fire developing.

Chicks have already hatched from the eggs, and will soon fly the nest - allowing the box to be returned to its original use.

Updated: 13:56 Thursday, June 10, 2004