Help! There's a snake in my kitchen

Jaime Butterfill, 24, had been in the rented Grafton Road property just three days when she walked into her kitchen and found the two-and-a-half foot American corn snake staring up at her.

The snake is believed to have either escaped from '“ or been left by '“ the animal-keeping previous tenant, who vacated the property in December, 2004.

"I walked into the room and it was just there, happily looking around," said Jaime.

She was quickly joined by visiting friend Sam Redfearn and his 18-month daughter Georgia, who seemed unperturbed.

"She was not at all affected by it," said Jaime. "I was there screaming and she was fine."

Jaime phoned letting agents Jordan & Cook, who called in Billy Elliott, of the Worthing and District Animal Rescue Service (WADARS).

Mr Elliott said the snake had probably survived by going into a state of semi-hibernation in the cold, empty flat.

He believed it had emerged only when the property had become heated again with the new tenant.

"It's not in a poor condition," said Mr Elliott. "It's cold and underweight, but, hopefully, once he's warmed up, he'll start feeling better."

The snake was then taken away to a vivarium at Northdale Veterinary Surgery '“ much to the relief of an unnamed neighbour downstairs.

"Is it gone, yet?" she asked, from a two inch gap in the door.

Miss Butterfill said the experience had not made her any fonder of snakes.

"I'll stick to cats," she said.