Estate agents get slippery surprise (From This Is Local London)

Snake found by South Croydon estate agent

9:00am Wednesday 16th May 2012 in Bizarre By Nick Hitchens

Estate agent staff got a shock when a 2ft-long snake slithered across the street just yards from their office.

Holly Batters, property manager of Martin and Co, South Croydon, had only gone a couple of metres from the Jarvis Road office on Thursday when she saw the two foot orange and white serpent sliding along.

She said: “At first I thought it was just a toy. I looked a little closer and it was moving.”

Rather than panic, the mother of two, accompanied by one of the owners, Peter Brown, set about trying to capture the reptile, believed to be a corn snake – a popular pet that is non-venomous.

Mr Brown said: “At first Holly tried to use her coat but I didn’t know what kind of snake it was so I stopped her and used an umbrella to scoop him into a bucket.

“We didn’t want to distress it too much, but it was getting close to the road and so we felt we had to act.

“I’m not at all squeamish about that sort of thing. I used to own a rat and stick insects.

“As a property manager you have to be ready for anything but I admit I’ve never had anything like that before.”

The RSPCA were called and a team was sent to recover the snake.

A spokesman for the charity confirmed they were attempting to find the owner, but if unsuccessful would then search for a new home for the snake.

Do you know the owner of the snake? Call the newsdesk on 0208 722 6351.