by Dan Bloom

dbloom@thekmgroup.co.uk

Meet Sparky, the electrocuted squirrel who's set a Kent village abuzz.

Residents in Stone-in-Oxney grew to love the rodent after he bit off more than he could chew in a pair of power lines.

They were so amazed the fried squirrel stayed trapped in the lines for two months that when EDF workers knocked him down, they made a memorial for him.

Now a wooden headstone, reading "RIP Sparky", has stirred hundreds of passers-by to stop and take photos.

The aptly-named creature takes pride of place at the secluded spot, surrounded by roses and daffodils.

Semi-retired builder Tim Homewood, 66, said he knows the mystery resident who built the tribute on his land - but is keeping their identity a closely-guarded secret.

Mr Homewood, who keeps chickens and sheep and owns a totem pole documenting his own life, said he was pleased someone had given Sparky a resting place.

"I don't think getting stuck in power lines is that uncommon," he said. "But to hang up there for two months is incredible."

Mr Homewood, of The Street, added: "We kept looking up at him and wondering when he would come down, but he never did."

His wife Kathy, 60, added: "It's wonderful. He's become our local tourist attraction."

Meanwhile retired civil engineer Terry Beeching, of Stone Green, is pleased to see one more rodent killed.

The 70-year-old fly-fishing and shooting enthusiast said: "Those power lines are a wonderful squirrel-catcher.

"The greys are a pest along with crows and magpies, all hunting along the hedgerows.

"Anything that gives our songbirds a chance is great. They're having a hard time at the moment."

Now residents of the village, near Tenterden, plan a wake next week for Sparky in the local pub, The Ferry Inn.

Owner Paul Withers-Green said: "I'll be happy to have a wake for Sparky.

"It's all just a bit of village jollity to put some brightness into our lives - apart from the poor squirrel's of course.

"I've no idea who made the tribute."

But the landlord has drawn the line at an open casket.

"I think that might just offend a few people," he said, adding fried squirrel was unlikely to make the pub's menu - which boasts scallops, duck confit and pink coral reef salt.