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An exotic snake was found abandoned in a cardboard box dumped next to a recycling bin in central London.

The reptile was found by street cleaner Tom Elmer as he and his team carried out daily checks of the bins in Cleveland Square, near Paddington station.

Mr Elmer noticed there was something moving inside a glass container placed in a cardboard boz next to the bin, which he initially mistook for a discarded fish tank.

But a closer inspection revealed the creature inside was a snake.

The snake, which had been dumped inside its tank, was unable to escape but the RSPCA said the reptile could have died due to the cold and wet weather conditions.

The non-venomous corn snake was rescued by the Veolia and Westminster City Council refuse workers before it was handed over to the Putney Animal Hospital.

Mr Elmer said: “The snake was longer than my arm. Our foreman was pretty shaken up and I had to stop him from running off down the road.

“It’s odd because I’ve always wanted a snake as a pet.

“I asked my partner if we could keep the snake but unfortunately she wasn’t having any of it.”

An RSPCA spokesman said: “We can only presume this poor snake was just dumped out with the rubbish.

“This is such a callous way to treat a pet.

“Corn snakes such as this one need very specific care and conditions to be able to live a happy and healthy life.”