District council staff working in Newton Poppleford were given a shock this week when they stumbled across an escaped pet snake.

Members of the council’s StreetScene team were cutting a grass verge in Capper Close this morning when they spotted the brightly coloured corn snake.

They are now hoping to hear from anyone who has lost a pet snake in the village so that owner and reptile can be reunited.

The corn snake is a North American species of rat snake.

The creatures are popular as pets but are thought to be adept at escaping from captivity.

It has been taken to a local pet shop to be looked after in a warm environment, in the hope that its owner will come forward.

Enquiries should be made in the first instance to Tom Green via the district council call centre on 01395 517528.