THURROCK-based South Essex Wildlife Hospital has had to deal with a rare and very dangerous visitor.

The hospital, at Orsett, was called to deal with a stowaway snake that arrived in the borough in a container.

A spokesperson for the hospital, which is voluntarily funded, said: "In addition to many British wildlife species coming in today we also had a call about a critter that is definitely not in the country it should have been.

"We had a call regarding a stowaway snake that had arrived in a shipping container from India.

"As it was identified as a saw scaled viper and, having had one before, we understood fully the gravity of just how dangerous these reptiles are, they are way up there in the top few most deadly snakes (it is believed to have killed more people than all the other species combined).

"The authorities that had already been contacted were not responding to the situation so our reptile expert Steve and Tom the vet collected the very agitated and aggressive animal before someone was likely killed.

"It is now in a locked box in a sealed room ( Tom taped up the door ) with warning signs, awaiting collection from an appropriate facility that sue our manager has contacted.

"We are glad not to have to deal with venomous creatures too often but feel sad for the snake that we can't give it is freedom and get it back home."