Hospital calls in snake experts to eject slippery customers

Published on 27/09/2005 12:13

A RURAL hospital has been invaded by dozens of snakes.

The grass snakes have been spotted by staff at Dilke Memorial Hospital near Cinderford in the Forest of Dean.

The hospital said it had brought in an expert to remove the snakes, which are quite rare, and take them to a safe place.

Hospital spokesman Anthony Dallimore said: "They are not poisonous and do not pose a risk to patients, although they can cause a shock if you are not expecting to see them.

"In recent years, grass snakes have become quite rare in England and we have an agreement with a local reptile expert to remove them and relocate them to a place of safety which assists conservation efforts to establish grass snake communities elsewhere."

He said two adult snakes and approximately 100 baby snakes had been removed from the site.