A man had the shock of his life when he found a 2ft snake in the bathroom of his Bideford home yesterday morning.

Police were called to the house in Pitt Lane at around 6am after the man said he found the 2ft snake, believed to be a python, on the radiator.

Officers said the man went into the bathroom for a shower and discovered the snake when he lifted his towel off the radiator.

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said the man initially thought the animal was a toy but realised it was real when it started to slither around.

Response officers from the town were sent to the house and were forced to collect the python, which was described as brownish in colour.

They took the animal to Torbridge Veterinary Centre, situated in Caddsdown Industrial Park, for examination.

The man who discovered the snake told the Journal it was a pet snake but said it was not owned by him. He did not wish to comment further.

Police said the RSCPA were informed of the discovery.