A BABY owl, destined to die at the side of the road after falling from his nest, was saved by a passer by who scooped up the fluffy bird and took him into her care.

The woman from Coopersale found the little owl lying in the road outside the Harlow Garden Centre in Hastingwood.

It appeared to be very hungry and lethargic, so she took him home and looked after him over the weekend before contacting Lyn Cook, the Animal Warden at Epping Forest District Council.

Miss Cook said: "He was barely able to fly and he wasn't feeling himself at all.

"We picked him up and he has now gone to a specialist handler who will ensure he is correctly fed and cared for to help him build up his strength. Then we will take him back, when he's ready, to where he came from and let him go."

Although the bird appeared to be tame, Miss Cook said it can not be kept in captivity and needs to be realised as quickly as possible if it has any chance of surviving.

She added: "It should only take a week, maybe even less. He is now beginning to feed himself and we just need to make sure that he's strong enough to fly."