A WORKER had a nasty surprise when he was working on an electricity substation.

Nick Piggott was clearing out the Southern Electric building when he came face to face with a snake which was huddled around a cable.

But it was not the more common adder, smooth or grass snake, which can often be found in Britain - but a South American rat snake, more commonly known as a corn snake.

Mr Piggott, a transformer who works for Cannon Hyfeine Throwers in Bishop's Waltham, alerted his managers to the find before coaxing the creature into a bag with the use of a stick.

Bosses at the firm in Botley Road looked at the reptile before calling on the services of an amphibian and reptile expert who could identify it.

Graeme Skinner, who works for Naturally Wild - a company which presents educational programmes to organisations across the country - was fortunately on hand to take a look. Mr Skinner, who is based in north east England, happened to be working with Hampshire County Council on environmental improvements on the M3 and M27. Mr Skinner said: "Fortunately it was a harmless snake but it's not something you see over here. Someone must have taken it as a pet and then got rid of it.

"The corn snake could not survive for very long if it isn't cared for in the right way. It was huddled around the pipe trying to keep warm.

"We get a lot of calls about abandoned animals or ones that have escaped so we have to prepare for any eventuality."

The reptile is now in the safe hands of Mr Skinner, who says it will be used in educational programmes if the owner does not come forward to local police.

If you know who owns the snake contact Hampshire police on 0845 045 4545.