Oldham mum found adder under wheelie bin in Royton

We asked readers if they had encountered any of the animals in the borough after several people shared spots they had allegedly seen snakes.

Michael Crompton said while gardening at the Moravian Church, on Spring Garden Street, several years ago his mother came across an adder hiding underneath the bin.
A blurry photo was taken by the 76-year-old who discovered the large venomous snake in Royton centre (Image: Michael Crompton)

He said: "My parents found the snake very alive and active, under a wheelie bin at the Moravian Church in Royton around four years ago when tidying up the garden.

"My then 76-year-old mum shooed it away into the bushes with a bunch of dead daffodils she'd been cutting."

He added that discovering snakes in Oldham is far from rare.

He continued: "There's always been snakes all over, not unusual, not rare, just hidden most of the time."

The adder Mr Crompton's mum came across is one of the UK's largest venomous animal and while they are rarely a threat to humans and dogs the NHS urges those bitten to call 999 and visit the nearest A&E.

An adder is just one of three snakes that can be found in England (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

It comes after an Oldham woman spoke of her own terrifying encounter with a snake in Saddleworth.

While walking her dog at Dovestone Reservoir, she took a break on a nearby rock to enjoy a spot of lunch when she spotted something moving.

Upon further inspection the "petrified" woman, who wished to remain anonymous, realised it was a snake - just off the main path "near a little stream".

"It was a long time ago around 12 years ago," she said.

"I had took my dog with me, a little king Charles, I was sat on a rock having some food and he was sniffing around when I saw movement.

"At a closer look I realised it was a snake - well I have never moved so fast, I grabbed my dog and stood on top of the rock petrified."