Squirrels, a teddy bear and UFO among 'cracking' excuses for windscreen damage

Quarrelling squirrels, a teddy bear and a "UFO" are among the most bizarre explanations offered for windscreen cracks over the last year, according to a repair company.

Autoglass reported the most common causes for damage included road rubble, temperature change and collisions with bird. It has revealed a list of bizarre customer claims, ranging from mysterious noises to miscellaneous flying objects.

The company also warned that rogue hedge trimmers, lawnmowers and kayaks appeared to pose particular threats to windscreens over the year.

It has urged motorists to take care with car windscreens and windows over winter, by warming them slowly, replacing old wipers and regularly topping up screen wash.

Taxiarchis Konstantopoulos, Autoglass managing director, said: "With the winter month's settling in, we wanted to take this opportunity to remind motorists that windscreen damage can happen any time - including in unexpected circumstances.

"Every chip will eventually crack, and the windscreen accounts for up to 30% of a vehicle's structural integrity, so it's important to get windscreens replaced or repaired as soon as possible."

Autoglass's list of 10 strangest explanations for windscreen damage over 2015 are:

1. Two quarrelling squirrels using conkers as ammunition

2. An elusive high-pitched noise that cracked the screen, set off car alarms, and even turned off a nearby television.

3. An airborne trampoline

4. A seemingly harmless teddy bear

5. An overweight uncle getting into the car

6. A donkey

7. A bow and arrow

8. A bee

9. What appeared to be a UFO

10. A kangaroo - in Australia.