Snakes alive! Boa found on the bus (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Snakes alive! Boa found on the bus

Ref. 29113-47Staff at a Swindon bus company would have been forgiven for yelling the immortal words: "I'm a public transport worker Get me out of here."

For among the umbrellas, odd gloves and other run-of-the-mill lost property items, Stagecoach employee David Beard found an eight-feet long boa constrictor.

The slippery customer, that would have scared even the most resilient celebrity on the recent ITV show, I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, was discovered in a taped up, white polystyrene box.

The box had been left on the number 55 bus, which calls at Chippenham, Lyneham, Wootton Bassett, West Swindon and the town centre, on Sunday afternoon.

The mysterious package was taken into the Stagecoach office overnight, and remained unclaimed yesterday morning.

Controller Mr Beard, 41, said: "We thought we'd take a look inside the package for security reasons as it had been there overnight. But when I opened the box I couldn't believe my eyes.

"The snake must have been about seven or eight feet long and was curled up asleep.

"We quickly put the lid back on and called the RSPCA. It's a bit of excitement and makes a change from a normal working day."

While RSPCA inspectors Stephanie Daly and Phil Bussey made their way to the Swindon depot at about 9.30am yesterday, the black and brown boa, which crushes its prey between its powerful coils, had escaped from its box and slithered to a hiding place in the office.

Insp Daly, who deals with Swindon call outs, said: "These snakes are escape artists. They are not venomous but it could have been dangerous had it escaped.

"If there was a young child or a pet it would have had a go. Phil managed to get hold of it with both hands and pick it up.

"Although it wasn't still a baby, it wasn't fully-grown. It weighed between 20 and 25 kilos (just under four stone). They are made up of a lot of muscle which is why they are so heavy."

The inspectors are now tracing the snake back to its owner. A faint address on the side of the box led the hunt to a home in Park South.

They were told by the former owner at the address the snake had then gone to a 15-year-old boy in Penhill who had sold it on for £25, and the lead was last night heading back to an address in Park South.

The boa, which could grow up to 13ft, or four metres long and live to be 30, is now being looked after in an animal haven in Surrey.

Insp Daly, who last year rescued a corn snake from a wall in Faringdon Road, Swindon, added: "Snakes are specialist and a lot of people don't know how to look after them properly. We would ask people to think twice before buying anything like this."

If you can help the RSPCA trace the owner call them on 08705 555999.

Alex Emery