Snake abandoned in Surrey

A 6ft boa constrictor has been found abandoned in Surrey - the latest in a spate of exotic pets to be dumped on an RSPCA animal centre.

Staff got a shock when they opened a polystyrene box left outside their front gate - and found the reptile inside.

It was the third case in a week for South Godstone Animal Centre, which has also taken in a corn snake and three geckos.

The boa is a female which can grown up to 10ft in length and live for up to 20-30 years.

She was taken to Patcham Reptile Centre in Brighton and has already been found a new home with a specialist keeper.