A family have spoken of their shock after a tropical eel swam out of a water tap in their home.

The Limavady family's surprise finding was reported on news website Derry Now.

They said a horsehair eel came out of a cold water tap. It is thought to originate from the Gulf of Mexico.

"Initially, I thought it was a piece of fishing wire but then I saw it swimming about. When I realised what it was, I couldn’t believe it,” the woman told the County Derry Post.

“An eel is the last thing you would expect to come out of your tap..... I don’t have any real concerns about the water but it does make me a little weary to make sure and check the water before drinking it."

The matter was reported to NI Water which is investigating.

Belfast Telegraph