Last year, has seen some unique reasons that have caused property owners to make claims on their home insurance policies.

One of the other oddest incidents involved a person who woke up when a magpie flew into his bedroom and stole his glasses; it then flew away.

Another involved a man who fired a gun at his television set and then decided to call up his home insurance provider to receive a pay out last year.

However, after a modicum of investigation, it was disclosed that the person who had "shot the TV" as he said, was actually a restorer of old guns who did not realise that the piece he was working on was loaded.

Lloyds TSB Insurance, Managing Director Phil Loney said that: “He never [ceases] to be intrigued" by some of the claims his firm has heard.

He added: "Our 2008 quirky claims round-up highlights that it's truly impossible to predict what's around the corner and whilst it's important to take sensible security, maintenance and safety steps, having a good insurance policy is vital to ensure long term peace of mind.”

Some of the more common - but less interesting - claims were for MP3 players and laptops, which had ended up in the wash with clothes or had taken a bath along with their owner.