A local family shared the bank holiday sun with an entirely unexpected visitor this weekend.

Bruce Baker, of Innerleithen, thought that his children were playing a prank when they shouted for him to come and see the snake in the family’s garden.

A quick glance outside, however, confirmed that there was indeed a 7-foot snake lurking next to his house.

Mr Baker told us: “The thing was huge, I was just standing staring at it in amazement.

“I was shocked that the kids had been playing so close to it.

“I put the kids inside and came back out - It was completely still to begin with, but I nudged it with my foot and it started moving.

“I phoned the Scottish SPCA and they advised me to try and contain it within a box.

“My neighbour helped me get it into a plastic toybox - I’m glad he was dealing with the head end!

“It was actually very calm, I’m not sure if it maybe had a touch of sunstroke.

“The SPCA officer arrived about an hour and a half later, by that time most of the street had been over to look at our new pet!

“The officer thought that it may have been on the loose for up to 2 weeks, due to its condition, but they weren’t aware of anybody in the area owning a snake like that.”

The snake, believed to be an escaped domestic pet, was taken to Edinburgh where it will be looked after while the charity attempts to reunite the uninvited guest with its owner.