They are this year's must-have Christmas presents for technology fanatics.

But Janet Kendall, 61, of Brook Meadow in Sible Hedingham, has warned remote-controlled domestic drones could be dangerous after one crashed into the chimney of her home.

Mrs Kendall said: “I just wondered what all the noise was. It hit our chimney, bounced off the flat roof and landed in next door’s garden.

“It was laying there and all four blades were still going around, it sounded like a really noisy lawnmower."

Mrs Kendall said she and her neighbours searched the area for the owner of the eight inch craft, thought to be worth about £800, but to no avail.

She said: “It was lucky that it didn’t hit a car because it could have done quite a bit of damage and if it had hit a person it would have caused an injury.

“I don’t think they’re supposed to fly over houses and I do think people need to take more care."