A BLUE tit has hatched its chicks in a company ashtray in Letchworth GC.

AN ENTERPRISING blue tit has created a nest inside an external staff ashtray, which is now home to about eight chicks.

Employees at environmental monitoring company YSI Hydrodata on Works Road in Letchworth GC were surprised to find the bird setting up home in the external wall-mounted metal box at their offices.

Staff made the find after noticing cigarette butts appearing on the floor. Signs have been put up asking smokers not to use the ashtray, which was lined with moss and twigs before the eggs were hatched inside.

Andrew Burton, YSI Hydrodata’s service manager, said: “Since we manufacture environmental monitoring equipment, the blue tit must have thought this would be a safe place to start a nest!

“We were confused by all of the cigarette butts that suddenly appeared on the floor a few metres from the ashtray, and it seems these were removed by the blue tit prior to setting up its nest.

“There are now about seven or eight chicks inside the ashtray, and we hope they have an enjoyable stay in their unconventional home.”