Bird?s nests, spider?s webs and sticky black soot that gets everywhere given half a chance ? it?s all in a day?s work for chimney sweep Flavio Picchia.

Mr. Picchia, 37, who is one of just a handful of sweeps on the Island, has been doing the job here for the past eight years after completing training in his native Italy.

He explained that the work he does through his business Spazzacamamino ? which means chimney sweep in Italian ? is more important than most people might realise.

?If someone?s chimney catches fire it can be pretty dangerous for the whole house,? he said.

?Every chimney needs maintenance as they need to get fresh air into them in order to get oxygen to the fire and keep it burning.

?Bird?s nests can clog up a chimney meaning you can?t get the fire to keep going and spiders webs are also dangerous as the soot starts building around them and causes deposits which can start a fire. If a fire causes a crack in the flue, the worst thing that can happen is that it crumbles, like in an earthquake.

?Some of the more unusual things I?ve removed from chimneys are birds nests weighing 40 pounds, soda cans and chip wraps. That?s it, but it?s quite enough.?

Mr. Picchia says chimney sweeping is often overlooked in Bermuda.

?I got 25 pounds of soot out of one chimney at a Hamilton hotel when usually a chimney pulls down about two pounds,? he explained, recommending that a chimney should be swept around once every three years.

Once called in, he gives an estimate for the job, which will typically range from $150 and $400 depending on what action needs to be taken.

If the customer is happy with this, he then prepares the area in front of the fireplace by covering it with a cloth to ensure that furniture is not damaged.

?When the dust comes down everything goes black and you can?t get rid of it even with a vacuum cleaner because it?s sticky like tar,? he explained.

?This is the busiest time of the year for me as everyone wants their fireplace ready for Christmas when they really should be thinking about having it swept in the spring time.?

Despite the mess and health hazards, the job is immensely satisfying: ?The fireplace is the heart of the house. It brings families together and you will never see someone argue when they are sitting in front of the fire.

?It?s something that?s so relaxing ? not even the best spa can do the same.?