A HUNGRY heron has been filching fish from people's ponds in Marsh.

The beaked burglar has been swooping down on gardens in the Hollin Terrace area and helping himself to a free fish supper.

Hollin Terrace resident Derek Whitelock said his wife, Glenys, came face to face with the bird on Monday morning.

The 63-year-old care assistant said his wife opened the curtains and saw the be-winged bandit ready to strike at the ornamental fish in their back garden pond.

He added: "It saw the movement of the curtains and got scared off.

"But we checked, and found a number of our fish had gone missing.

"My wife was quite upset. Her brother, who lives nearby, has also seen the bird .

"He said it was standing on the fence, ready to pounce at his pond."

Mr Whitelock has now created his own way of protecting his fish.

He said: "We've put up canes round the pond, so he can't get at them. He's after easy pickings."