Starfish blown into garden

A HOUSEHOLDER discovered more than he bargained for as he checked for storm damage when he found a starfish in his garden which had been blown more than 100 feet from the sea.

Les Hazelgrave, from Oban, had stayed indoors on Boxing Day as Storm Conor swept in with gale force winds.

But when he ventured out yesterday to check his garden, he found the starfish. Gardener Mr Hazelgrave said: “The house is in quite an exposed spot and it does get the full force of the weather blowing down from the Sound of Mull, but I couldn’t believe it when I saw what had blown in with the wind.

“The starfish must have been swept up 10ft in the air, from shore to street level, and then blown at least another 100ft before finally landing in the garden. It was pretty wild weather on Boxing Day and the gusts of wind were really fierce, so the poor thing didn’t really stand a chance.”

The Met Office has now lifted the amber “be prepared’’ weather warning which was in place across much of the country over the Christmas weekend.