Boa constrictor by roadside scares Teesside teenagers

Staff from Wilton Vets in Guisborough captured the snake

A 6ft snake gave a group of teenagers a fright when it was spotted on Teesside.

The group came across the boa constrictor in Wilton Lane, Guisborough, at 15:30 BST.

It has been taken in by experts at an endangered species centre near Redcar who are attempting to track down its owner.

Speaking to BBC Tees, witness Amy Laking joked: "This thing would eat your car. It's absolutely massive. It's not nibbling mice."

She added: "I came round the corner and there it was along with three terrified teenage boys staring at it."

The snake could have "escaped or been dumped"

Craig Wesson, of the Kirkleatham Owl and Endangered Species Centre, said "it caused quite a scene" and was now "in a duvet in the kitchen calming itself down".

"Normally, a pillow case is the safest way to transport a snake, but this was quite big. We got a call about it and I expected something a lot smaller.

"The girls from the vets were already grappling with it. They'd checked it over and it's in very good condition. It's chunky as well - this guy is as thick as your leg."

Mr Wesson added he thought the snake had either "escaped or been dumped".

"A lot of snakes are got as small pets and then outgrow their tanks and start eyeing up small pets. There's quite a lot that get dumped.

"We're going to warm it up and get it some food. Then we'll see if someone has lost it. If not, it will either stay here or we'll find it a new home."