Stunned office workers find snake under a desk

Temperatures in London have been verging on the tropical but stunned office workers got more than they bargained for when they found a snake under a desk.

The brightly coloured three foot-long milk snake was spotted slithering among the furniture at an office block in Kensington, west London.

The RSPCA was called in to collect the reptile. And on the same day, Monday, another snake - a 4ft-long royal python - was found five miles away among a pile of rubbish sacks in St Cross Street, Farringdon.

RSPCA officer Jill Saunders believes the milk snake found in the office was an escaped pet.

The RSPCA believe an increase in recent snake rescues is related to their rise in popularity as pets.> It is warning people to educate themselves on the commitment needed to care for the reptiles, as they are completely reliant on their owners to meet their welfare needs.> Officers say enclosures need to be kept secure and even locked to prevent escapes as snakes can be 'extremely good escape artists' and can slip through gaps in doors and take advantage of loose-fitting lids.