Ray Hamilton was just the man to have on duty when someone turned up at the police station with a snake.

The Carterton constable was immediately able to identify the brown and cream reptile because he is an expert on them.

"It was a Californian King snake, totally harmless, without much of a bite and no poisonous fangs," said Pc Hamilton who had no hesitation in handling the little creature, no more than 18 inches long.

It was brought into the town's station in Burford Road by cleaners who discovered it while clearing out an empty Ministry of Defence quarter attached to RAF Brize Norton.

"They popped it into a bucket and decided to treat it as lost property and come and see us. I should think it's only a year old," said Pc Hamilton.

"I keep snakes at my home, so I'm used to handling them. Just the man for the job."

Efforts are being made to trace the previous occupants. Meanwhile, the little King snake has been handed over to the RSPCA.