A supermarket shelf stacker got a shock when she discovered a live snake hidden among the bottles of olive oil.

The 15-inch corn snake was found on Wednesday morning, in Viva Mediterranean Products in Rowlands Road, Worthing.

One of Gasem Gharsallah's (corr) staff spotted the pink and white-spotted reptile at about 9.30am.

Mr Gharsallah closed the shop immediately and told customers there had been a problem with his till, so as not to alarm them.

He said: "I was quite shocked myself. The staff were obviously a bit scared but the snake was very quiet. I thought it was a trick snake at first and someone had put it there for a joke.

"It took ages after ringing the council to find the right people to rescue him but they recognised him as a pet snake immediately.

"I think he was just looking for a warm place to hide."

Billy Elliott of Worthing and District Animal Rescue Service said the North American albino corn snake was the most popular pet snake variety for its friendly temperament.

He said: "They live in the cornfields and farmers like them because they eat the mice which eat the corn. It's probably the most popular domestic snake because its unusual for them to be aggressive.

"They are escape artists and I would like to think this one escaped but the majority we find aren't claimed and are probably abandoned.

"It seems a strange place for it to turn up, he could have been posted through the letter box or anything.

"Last year, someone in Western Road, in Lancing, lifted their toilet seat to find one down there."

The Viva corn snake was probably only one-year-old as they can grow to four-foot long at full size.

He was very cold when found, but Mr Elliott is now looking after him with another snake and has warmed him up.

He said: "We're hoping he's none the worse for his ordeal but he wouldn't have survived a long time at those temperature. If anyone can claim him or wants to offer him a home they can call us on 01903 217788."