ROOFERS have been spotted carrying out work on the shark house in Headington, but have reassured the many admirers of the fish that it's not about to be taken down. 

Len Stevens, the owner of Admiral Roofing, said he had been called in to fix the roof around the shark, which has been leaking in to the house below. 

Mr Stevens explained that the base of the sculpture sits in a large tray and work was needed to install more slates to make it watertight. 

He said: "It's certainly one of the more unusual jobs I've done recently. 

"I've always admired it whenever I went past but this is the first time I've been called to work on it.

"It's funny really because we are admiral so it continues the ocean theme."

The 25 foot shark was famously installed by Oxford Mail columnist Bill Heine without planning permission in 1986, sparking a lengthy battle with Oxford City Council. 

Now owned by Mr Heine's son Magnus Hanson-Heine, a campaign was recently started to make the house a protected listed building.

Mr Stevens said he understood new tennants have recently been lined up to move in, hence the need to fix the leak as soon as possible. 

He will be back on his ladder this afternoon to put the finishing touches to the ridges.