A grass snake spotted at a lake in Oxford has been described as a “very rare sighting”.

The reptile was filmed swimming in Hinksey Lake yesterday (Sunday, July 2).

Grass snakes have a distinctive yellow collar on the back of their neck with greenish to brown bodies that have black marks along the sides.

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David Pearson, who runs a community page for people who swim at Hinksey Lake, shared the video captured by Roz Whitworth.

Mr Pearson said: “I think its really cool. I've swum in that lake for years but never have I seen a snake in the water.

“I think it's an amazing thing that we have snakes living in Oxford City

“In the countryside, I know they exist but inside the ring road, in what is really quite a small park habitat, its so unexpected

“I think a lot of people would be surprised to know there are snakes in Oxford.”