Couple Find Quick Brown Fox in the Bathroom

'Some towels had been strewn around the floor, but aside from that the fox did no damage and made no mess,' said Mrs Heard, 64, from Ilford, Essex.

'He was good-natured and appeared very nervous.'

Mrs Heard had the presence of mind to take a picture of the intruder, which probably got in through the cat flap, before calling for her husband.

Mr Heard, 72, scooped up the cub in his arms and took it out to the garden where it disappeared into the undergrowth.

Before it departed, however, it took a last backwards glance. 'It was as if he was saying goodbye,' said Mrs Heard.