Dad terrified of going to the loo after wife finds 4ft python in toilet bowel

A father is terrified of going to the loo after his wife discovered a 4ft-long python in their toilet.

The yellow and white snake was lurking at the bottom of the toilet bowl after it had escaped into the sewer systems in Southhampton.

Richard Grant described the moment his wife ran screaming from the bathroom after discovering the ball python when she went to use the loo.

The father-of-three, 45, rang his friend Cornell Collins, who used to own a snake and was able to help the family by fishing it out of the water using a shoelace.

The family were terrified after spotting the reptile (Richard Grant)

Crane operator Mr Grant from Southampton, Hampshire, said: "My wife went up to use the bathroom and came downstairs screaming.

"One of my children went to have a look and was shaking and and panicking when he came back.

"We were all in a state of shock and not very keen to go back upstairs."

Mr Grant tried to call the RSPCA, but there was no one available to remove the animal until the following day.

He added: "With three young children in the house we weren't keen to leave the snake in the bathroom overnight.

"I contacted a friend who previously owned a snake, to see if he could help.

Mr Grant said one of his children panicked after seeing the snake (Richard Grant)

"He gently lifted it out of the toilet using a shoelace tied in a bow before putting it in a pillowcase and taking it to a pet shop."

It's thought the non-venomous snake was an escaped pet.

Mr Grant said: "I think they either got rid of it or it escaped and got into the sewers, where it appears to have been bitten by a rat.

"I'd say the shock, on a scale of one to 10, was about 15. It was horrible - so creepy.

"Even now I can't talk about it without coming out in goose pimples."

It is believed the python was an escaped pet (file picture) (Richard Grant)

He admitted the frightening encounter had left him nervous about using the toilet.

He said: "I realise it was a very rare experience, but every night I close the toilet lid and put a weight on top."

Snakes are able to travel through the sewer systems as there are plenty of dry surfaces for them to move across.

Often, the only water the creatures would encounter is the small amount in the bowl of the toilet.

Ball pythons are popular in the pet trade because they are docile and are not venomous - although they can bite.

Also known as the Royal python, the species is found in sub-Saharan Africa.