STAFF at a Hanley Swan company got a surprise when an unexpected visitor popped out of the ceiling.

A new fire alarm system was being installed at Nature's Own, at Hanley Workshops, when a corn snake sneaked out of its hiding place.

Lorraine Radley of the company said: "The electrician was working in the suspended ceiling when he saw this little head looking out at him. He stayed very calm, and at first we though it might be an adder, but it turned out to be a beautiful corn snake.

"I think it must have been a pet that escaped, because it seemed very comfortable around people."

Staff called Aquatics and Reptiles, a specialist pet shop in St Johns, Worcester, which came and took custody of the reptile.

It is currently being kept in a comfortable vivarium and has been fed successfully, reported shop staff.

Manager Steph Jones said: "We've called it Cornelius, although we don't know whether it's male or female. It was a bit thin, so it probably hasn't eaten for a while, and we think it's almost certainly a pet that's escaped.

"If we can't find out who the owner is, it will be an excellent candidate for rehoming."

Corn snakes are popular pets because they are non-venomous and have a placid nature.