THE mystery of the "dead crocodile" found in a Worcester street has been solved.

It was believed the creature was an infant crocodile or possibly a caiman after it was found in a substation in Sydney Street.

As the animal was on a short 'shelf' near the top of the transformer behind a locked gate in the street, it was unclear how it managed to get there.

However, the mystery has now been solved after Worcester News alerted Western Power Distribution.

A Western Power Distribution engineer visited the substation and discovered the crocodile was in fact a very realistic toy.

A spokeswoman said: "After reports that a crocodile had been spotted in a substation in the Barbourne area of Worcester, one of our engineers visited the site and discovered that the animal was, in fact, a toy.

"It will now be removed.

"We would like to take this opportunity to remind customers never to enter electricity substations, or to throw objects inside.

"Substations contain high voltage equipment which can kill.

"Anyone who does lose an object inside a substation is advised to stay well clear and call 105, our emergency number, and wait for help to arrive."

The toy managed to fool several people and even wildlife experts were uncertain whether it was a toy or not.

Wendy Carter, communications manager at Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, said: "Well, it’s not very often you see that in Worcester!

"It certainly looks like a dead crocodile – perhaps a caiman but I’m afraid I know very little about how you might identify it from another species.

"It’s certainly not native and my guess would be that it’s an escaped or abandoned captive animal but I don’t know what species are likely to be kept as such.

"I don’t suppose it’s plastic/a toy is it?"

To keep a crocodile, alligator or caiman as a pet, people would need to apply for a licence under The Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (Modification) (No.2) Order 2007.

Do you know who the crocodile belongs to or how it got there? Email catherine.phillips@newsquest.co.uk