A FAMILY "adder" crisis when their pet snake disappeared for seven weeks.

However, Rattle the cornsnake slithered up just in time before the Dingley family bought a replacement.

Distraught owner nine-year-old Ben Dingley, of Vicarage Road, Stone, had given up hope of seeing his snake again.

His family searched their house from top to bottom, even under the floorboards, but Rattle remained at large.

However, the slippery serpent made a surprise appearance on the upstairs landing the day before his replacement was due to be bought.

Ben's mother Ruth said: "Ben had fed Rattle but had forgotten to put the top back on the vivarium.

"We soon realised he was missing but despite searching everywhere could not find him."

She added: "We had given up hope but amazingly he has returned looking well-fed but we don't know where he has been or what he has eaten.

"I must say my husband Martyn asked me to pick him up because he was afraid he would bite!

"But he's a well-behaved snake and was no trouble. He was soon at home feeding on a mouse."