'I thought my partner pranked me with fake snake'

A mum said she initially thought her partner was pranking her when she spotted something resembling a snake near her front door, but her "worst nightmare came true" when it "lifted its head".

Charley Harrison, of St Helens, Merseyside, said her children's coats had been left in their car when her family returned from a shopping trip at about 18:00 GMT on Monday. Unusually, her partner failed to bring them in, arousing her suspicions.

She said: "When I first saw the snake I thought Ben has set me up - then it moved!"

After Charley's social media appeal, the baby Amel corn snake was taken to Jaysco, a small animal sanctuary in Widnes, which has since reunited Slytherin with its "ecstatic" owners.

Charley, 21, contacted the RSPCA, which said to check the species and, if it was dangerous, to contact police.

However, she said that after confirming it was harmless, she posted on a local Facebook group to ask for advice.

A woman soon arrived to take the reptile to Jaysco Sanctuary.

"I stayed with it outside until I found someone to get it, even though I was absolutely petrified," said Charley.

"It was like my worst ever nightmare came true."

She added she was so relieved when it was taken away, since "I wouldn't have slept, worrying if it was still outside."

Jay Scott, who founded Jaysco more than 30 years ago, said the owners of the young snake came forward and picked it up.

She said the owners were "devastated" when Slytherin disappeared six weeks ago and they were so worried, especially during the recent freezing conditions.

"They are made up," said Jay. "They were panicking all over Christmas - and yet she was found only minutes away from their home."

An RSPCA spokesperson said: "Corn snakes, which are completely harmless, are excellent escape artists and will take the opportunity of a gap in an enclosure door, or a loose-fitting lid to make a break for it.

"We'd urge all pet snake owners to make sure they have an enclosure that is suitable for their particular species and that it is kept secure - and locked if necessary - when unattended."

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