No exercise for snakes in grass

The snakes have not liked the resulting publicity

A man who took his snakes out for exercise in a town park has been told he can no longer do so.

Timothy Fry, 22, of Ledbury, had been taking Rose and Buddy, a corn snake and a rat snake, out into a field in the park for the past year.

But, after being warned it might be illegal, he asked the town council, which refused him permission.

Mr Fry said he did not want to take them out any more anyway as the snakes had not enjoyed the attention they got.

The snakes don't like it when people are crowding round Timothy Fry

He said he had not used a lead or collar, just put them in the grass and let them roam around.

He added he always kept close and no-one had been in any danger from the snakes, which are not poisonous.

"A few people would come up and ask what I was doing but no-one ever complained," he said.

The snakes apparently liked having the freedom of a bit of space, after being cooped up in tanks.

Now, they will be confined to Mr Fry's flat floor.

He said: "I'm a bit disappointed but because of the publicity more people have been coming over to see them and the snakes don't like it when people are crowding round."