A SNAKE was found in bushes on a Newport Street nearly a month after it was stolen from a local reptile shop.

Albert Street residents Pam Parker, 50, and Cynthia Kinnel called Wildside reptile store in Baneswell after discovering the foot-long Corn snake crawling through grass near a railway embankment.

Wildside owner Tom Casey rescued the £60 snake on Friday, which he believes is one of two stolen from their tank a week before Christmas.

Mr Casey said he was amazed the snake had survived as the reptile needs to be kept in conditions of 85 degrees to be able to eat, move and function.

Mrs Parker said: "It wasn't very big but it looked quite vicious and it had its tongue sticking out."

Mr Casey said the orange and white breed of snake, originally from the United States, "was neither poisonous or aggressive."

"We had two of them stolen along with two lizards. We have groups of teenagers who come in here. One of them distracts staff and the others take the animals from their tanks.

"This snake is very weak. The priority is to get it warm and we are hoping it makes it.

The six-month-old snake would be expected to grow to nearly four feet.