A snake has been saved from a lake by police who suspect it may have been dumped there.

Officers were called to Brooklands Lake off Princes Road in Dartford following sightings of the serpent.

A community support officer attended the scene where the snake, understood to be a cornsnake, was spotted at around 1.25pm yesterday.

It was located and later recovered by the National Centre for Reptile Welfare.

The RSPCA says it not uncommon to receive reports of serpents giving their owners the slip as they are "notorious escape artists".

It adds it has not yet seen an increase in the abandonment of exotic pets directly linked to the cost of living crisis but has not ruled out its impact in the future.