Oil's well that ends well for this lucky kestrel.

The bird of prey was rescued by quick-thinking workmen at a gasworks near Dartford, after it fell 100ft from its nest into a tank of oil and water.

Tony Ferry, who works for Southern Gas Networks, the company which owns Crayford Gas Holder, took the panicked bird home, where he cleaned its feathers with warm soapy water and kitchen roll.

Tony's wife Jo also played a part in the bird's road to recovery, feeding it raw Ox heart – a favourite of the family dog, Mables.

He was then taken to Willow Wildlife Rescue, Chislehurst, where staff nursed him back to health.

Eddie Williams, from the centre, said: "If he hadn't been kept warm we would have lost him and I'm glad Tony managed to bring him here in the nick of time."

The young kestrel is now continuing his recovery at a large aviary at Bullers Wood School, Chislehurst.

He will remain at the school until his tail feathers are fully formed before being released back into the wild, close to where he was found.