A CORN snake was found on top of an electricity box in Southbourne when a man went to a house to read the meter.

The incident happened on Belle Vue Road in June when the meter reader opened the electricity box to find the new slithering resident had moved in.

Inspector Jo Story of the RSPCA said: "Corn snakes are the most common snake kept in the UK so we do find them straying quite often.

"This little guy was quite an unusual colour for a corn snake though so it might not have been so obvious on first sight what species he was and this may have been quite alarming initially.

"It’s really no surprise that he decided to set up home in an electricity meter box though. It’s a cosy space to curl up in and it is nice and warm which is exactly what he would have needed having abandoned his previous home."

The snake has now gone on to the RSPCA's Brighton branch for rehoming.