Firefighters have rescued a large snake from a blaze that broke out in a bathroom.

Crews were called to the fire in Hornbeam Avenue, Tunbridge Wells, shortly after 7am.

Wearing breathing apparatus, firefighters entered the bathroom in which the snake was kept and extinguished the flames.

The blaze is believed to have started due to a heat pad inside the snake's vivarium catching alight.

A man living in the property was treated for smoke inhalation while the snake, which was carefully rescued by firefighters, suffered minor burns.

The man was placed in the care of paramedics, while the snake was treated by a representative from the National Centre for Reptiles.