FIREFIGHTERS and an animal charity had a ssssurprise last week after being called to rescue a pet snake from a roof.

The unusual pet had escaped from its owner's home and then got stuck in a window.

A firefighter was able to move the window and allow the five-foot snake to free itself and retreat into a loft, where it was caught.

RSPCA inspector Alan Browning said: "I must admit I did a bit of a double-take when I looked at my job list to see my next call-out was logged as 'snake on roof'.

"The caller said the snake had escaped and slithered into the eaves of the loft before getting outside and was now stuck on the roof of the two-storey house.

"When I arrived I found the snake had managed to get itself stuck in the gap between a window and fascia board.

"Luckily, the firefighters were able to remove the window to help free the snake."

After the incident, which happened in Portsmouth, The RSPCA is urging people who own corn snakes to keep them secure.

For more information visit www.rspca.org.uk/exotics.