Chimney sweep Peter Greaves made an unusual discovery while working on an inglenook fireplace at a house near Tenterden.

Using a video camera to check for cracks and defects, he noticed a small ledge about 6ft up the chimney.

On examination, he could see a small pot at the back of the ledge which he recovered for the homeowner, an elderly lady, by standing in the chimney.

The pot contained a dozen old coins, one dating back to King George III. The owner is in the process of having them valued.

Mr Greaves said: “Why the coins had been put there is a mystery, but as they were covered in thick soot, they had clearly been there a long time.”

Last year, Mr Greaves made the headlines when he rescued an owl while cleaning a chimney.

He said: “Chimney cleaning often reveals surprises, usually birds’ nests blocking the flue, but so far the live owl and these coins have been the most interesting.”