AN 81-year-old Bewdley woman had a surprise when she woke to the sound of what she thought was a burglar - but it was a rare bird humming in her conifer tree.

Gladys Carter said she was awoken at 3.30am on Sunday and initially feared an intruder inside her Yew Tree Lane home.

After going back to bed for half an hour and with no let-up in the constant "revving or car alarm sound", she called the police.

However, the officer eased her fears when at 4.15am he discovered there was a nightjar outside her home.

Mrs Carter said: "I have lived here for 28 years and never known this bird to visit before.

"Apparently they are very rarely seen in Britain and I don't particularly care to hear from it again.

The bird is descr-ibed as being a night-flying creature with a harsh cry.