AN OTLEY builder has been praised for helping with the rescue of two baby swifts.

Otley Swift Watch was contacted recently by a resident who had seen the chicks fall from their nest high up on a gable wall on Albion Street.

Group members Alex and Shannon Coles took the birds to safety and proceeded to try to find someone nearby with ladders who could help them back to their nest.

It was then that neighbour Tom Thackwray, who owns Brick House Roofers and Builders Ltd, stepped up.

Richard Marsh from Otley Swift Watch said: "Fortunately Tom leapt to the rescue with his ladders and took the chicks swiftly back up to where they came from.

"Tom had never done this sort of wildlife rescue before but, due to his interest in all things wildlife-related, he was able to offer his climbing services free of charge.

"This was a great example of a local builder going beyond the call of duty to help these swift chicks that would otherwise have died.

"Once swift chicks have fallen from their nest, high up on buildings, they will not be fed by their parents as they would struggle to land and take off from the ground while feeding them - and they would soon be killed by predators such as cats.

"Our thanks go to Tom and we hope to keep in touch with him to see how he can help provide swift nesting features in buildings elsewhere in Otley.

"If anyone has swifts nesting in their house and is thinking of carrying out any roof or wall maintenance I would strongly recommend his services as he will try to provide some features for swifts to carry on using their homes to nest in."

Swift Watch is a voluntary group that started in 2017 and is working to keep Otley 'swift-friendly' by ensuring there are plenty of potential nesting sites.

To find out more send an e-mail to Richard at richardmarsh25@yahoo.co.uk .