We've all heard of loan sharks, now there are piranha estate agents.

Meet Flat Eric, a ten-inch piranha who is the latest employee at Fisks estate agents on Canvey.

Buddies - Carla and her fishy friend Flat Eric the piranha Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

Eric has been Fisks' star attraction since he started work just before New Year.

Fisks office manager Carla Murrells, 27, said: "We are all really fond of him. He is very friendly - not ferocious at all.

"I often put my hand in to clean out the tank and feed him.

"He eats sausages, bacon and apparently likes turkey, but he'll have to wait until Christmas for some of that!"

Carla of Old London Road, Rawreth, told how Flat Eric arrived at their door.

She said: "He was given to us by a customer who sold up and moved to Holland. They weren't allowed to take Flat Eric, so they gave him to us."

Published Thursday January 22, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Echo