A fox crashed through the ceiling of a hospital's children's ward where eight youngsters were laid up.

The animal had crept into North Middlesex University Hospital during building work and was roaming around in a space above the inpatient paediatric ward when it crashed down into a staff area, a hospital spokesman confirmed.

He said that although the animal fell into the children's ward, no patients were disturbed by the incident, which happened in June.

As a result eight youngsters were evacuated from the ward and staff called in the RSPCA to remove the curious animal, he added.

The ward was shut for three days while the building in north London was secured.