A metre-long royal python has been rescued from Flitch Way after it is thought he slithered away from his owners.

The African-native snake was discovered on Wednesday July 9 by a runner and the RSPCA took him to an anonymous local exotics rescue centre.

An RSPCA spokesman said the snake is thought to be fairly young and not considered to be dangerous.

She said: “The RSPCA advises anyone seeing a snake to keep a distance but not be too alarmed.

“Many may be native snakes, which are most active during June and July when they are more likely to pass through gardens, although they tend to shy away from humans.”