A 5-year-old boy was shocked to find a python inside his toilet when he lifted up the lid.

Mrs Cowell said the toilet had been "Blocked for several days and the water wasn't draining well", but at the time, she didn’t know why.

Her son found the unwelcome visitor when he went to use the toilet on Wednesday.

"I've done many snake rescues in my 10 years, but I've never had one in a toilet before. It's definitely a first for us," he said.

"I think the snake probably escaped and went down their toilet, and ended up in this one, as all the sewers are connected," he said.

The snake is being treated at the store and once "In perfect health" will be "Rehomed with someone reputable so he won't end up in a toilet again".

Mrs Cowell said she was "Petrified" and put weights on the toilet lid for several days afterthe experience.