Insurers had to pay out £945 to replace an Oxford pensioner’s false teeth after he melted his original set.

The mishap was included on a list of unusual pay outs published yesterday by insurer Ageas.

The 84-year-old man left his teeth on the cooker and they slipped into the grill and melted.

Other cases publicised by Aegeas include a flock of cows in north Wales getting loose from a farm and gathering in a man's garden, causing £7,500 worth of damage.

In another case dealt with by the insurer, bees swarmed into a dining room in Taunton, Somerset, with black marks left on the carpet when they were smoked out, costing nearly £200 to rectify.

Another claim saw an iPad being left on a chopping board in Rochester during a meal. The sink was later filled with water and the iPad received a soaking along with the dishes.

Ageas Retail chief executive officer Ant Middle said: "We've seen some weird and wonderful home insurance claims over the years but 2016 saw some of the strangest yet."