TWO police officers got a bit of a fright yesterday (Wednesday) when they were called out to be faced with an 8ft-long python lurking in a wood near Blandford.

Sgt Andy Crook and Pc Dave Horn of Blandford Police were called out to Broadlea Woods at Bryanston at 11am yesterday to find a large carpet python curled up in a woodpile.

Sgt Crook said: "We do get called out to reports of strange animals from time to time but this was the first time in 19 years I've been called to deal with a snake."

"We were called in by a couple of walkers who had spotted it in the woodpile. When we got there we could see it obviously wasn't indigenous."

The snake started to move into the woodpile as the officers arrived and they decided it would be best to try to capture it in the interests of public safety.

They dismantled part of the woodpile to get to the creature and managed to get it into a police-issue body armour cover.

"Obviously we didn't want to hurt it and I think because it was daylight it was a bit sleepy and once you get snakes into a bag they do go quiet."

Carpet pythons are a nocturnal species native to Australia and New Guinea and eat mainly mice and rats. They are often kept as pets as although they can be large they are generally quite docile and not dangerous to humans.

It is believed the snake, which was not hurt, is an escaped pet and police have taken it to a reptile centre in Bournemouth for safekeeping and are appealing for the owner to come forward.

Anyone who has lost a snake or believes they may know the owner can contact the police on 01202 222222.