Escaped snake ends up in Dumfries nightclub

The corn snake - now nicknamed Disco - was handed over to staff in a Dumfries nightclub

The Scottish SPCA is trying to trace the owner of a snake which ended up in a Dumfries nightclub.

A man handed over the 14in-long corn snake to staff at Chancers on the town's Munches Street late on Tuesday evening.

He said he had found it in a nearby street.

Insp Janet Proudlock of the Scottish SPCA said the snake - now nicknamed Disco - could have escaped or may have been abandoned in the area.

The reptile was spotted in Friars Vennel in Dumfries before being handed over to staff at the nightclub.

They put it in a jug before taking it to the local police station after the club closed on Wednesday morning.

The Scottish SPCA is now appealing for the owner to come forward.

Insp Proudlock said: "Disco is just a youngster who still has quite a bit of growing to do.

"This means that it would be very easy for him to squeeze through even the tiniest gap in his vivarium and corn snakes are notorious for being excellent escape artists.

"We'd like to think that someone is missing Disco as he's in good overall condition. However, we do have to consider the possibility that he may have been abandoned."

She said the snake had ended up in an unusual location.

"Corn snakes are harmless, popular pet snakes, but we don't often hear of them turning up at nightclubs," she said.

"He's certainly none the worse for his night out on the tiles, but we're sure he'd much rather be chilling out at home.

"If no-one comes forward to claim him we'll find him a loving new owner."