Surprise! It’s snake and chips for tea

A WOMAN of 82 opened her oven door to cook some chips – only to find a 3ft snake lurking inside.

She slammed the door shut and called the RSPCA, who sent out an inspector to rescue the reptile.

It was a non-venomous African brown house snake and most probably an escaped pet.

The woman, who did not want to be named, said: ‘I got the shock of my life.

‘I have recently had a cataract operation and was wondering if my eyes were deceiving me – but my husband saw it too. We are big animal lovers and just wanted to make sure the snake was safe.’ Since the rescue at the couple’s home in Stockport, the snake has been cared for by the RSPCA. Harmless to humans, the African house snake, pictured, is widely kept as a pet by reptile enthusiasts due to its small size and placid behaviour.