A MAN received an early morning fright recently when he woke up at 2am to find himself face-to-face with a snake.

The four-foot long corn snake was slithering onto his bedside table just inches from his face when he was awoken on Sunday, August 9.

Thought to be a pet that has been abandoned or has escaped, the RSPCA have now taken the snake into care.

The snake was discovered by Kelvin, who was woken up by an odd sound in his bedroom.

He said: “I woke up to this strange clinking sound.

"I opened my eyes but it was pitch dark so I picked up my phone and scanned the room with the torch and as I was putting the torch down I saw the snake climbing up the table right next to my bed.

“I dived across the room and switched the light on and the snake was there, half on the floor and half on the table by my bed.”

Kelvin managed to capture the snake in a sleeping bag cover at his home in Beeston, Leeds, until the RSPCA arrived to take it into expert care.

RSPCA Inspector Dave Holgate came to collect the snake, which is not venomous and isn't native to the UK, which has been nicknamed Tango by its current carers.

Mr Holgate said: “Coming face to face with a snake is not what anyone expects to wake up to in the middle of the night and it must have been quite a fright!

"However, corn snakes aren't venomous and would only be expected to bite if they felt threatened.

"Luckily, the caller got in touch with the RSPCA and we were able to take the corn snake to a reptile specialist.

"At the moment, it isn’t clear where the snake has come from so if no owner comes forward the reptile will be rehomed.

“Corn snakes are not native to Britain, this means this snake is probably a lost or abandoned pet.

“Exotic pets like corn snakes have incredibly specialist needs and it can be challenging and expensive to meet these in captivity, this is why we would urge anyone considering an exotic pet to really consider whether they have the time, funds and resources needed to care for them properly.”

Corn snakes can live for up to 15 years and grow up to 5ft long, and need a vivarium that matches their length to allow them to fully stretch out, with a minimum width and height a third of their length. It also must be sturdy and secure to hold heat and prevent escapees.

Snake owners are also advised to get their pets microchipped so that if they do escape they can be easily reunited.