Nine-year-old Alex Body made friends with a 9ft Burmese golden python at his after-school club in Benson.

Alex Body with the snake

The python and several other snakes and reptiles were taken to the Scamps club from a Hertfordshire rescue centre to give children the chance to see them face-to-face.

Scamps, for five- to 11-year-olds, was launched this year in Benson youth hall.

One of the organisers, Gill Wyatt, said; "We thought it would be a good idea to let the children see these creatures at close quarters and handle them. It was a great experience for them."