A PET snake turned up alive and well - FOUR years after it slithered out of James Gleave's front room

Mr Gleave's Mexican true black kingsnake, Boschmitzy, was discovered curled up in an outside electricity box by his neighbour's cat long

after its owner had given it up for dead.

"I'd accepted it was gone forever but I was over the moon to find it," said Mr Gleave, who lives in Betjeman Close, Pershore.

Experts told Mr Gleave that such snakes - which can grow up to three feet long - could only live for six months without a supply of food, so he is certain jet-black Boschmitzy found regular nourishment elsewhere.

"I think it must have found its way into the cavity walling, and the only explanation I have is that it lived on the little baby sparrows that nest in the roof," he said.

Boschmitzy died of natural causes shortly after being reunited with his grateful owner so Mr Gleave, aged 25, has now found solace in the company of a boa constrictor as well as an Australian carpet python.

Pershore residents need not have worried - the snake was not venomous.