A LEDBURY man is asking for permission to exercise his snakes on the town's recreation ground, following a complaint from a park user.

The recreation ground is owned by Ledbury Town Council and Timothy Fry, of Longacres, is seeking official approval for his "snake-walking" sessions after a concerned resident approached him and said the park was no place for a five and a half foot rat snake called "Buddy" and a four foot Californian king snake, called "Cue-tip".

Mr Fry said: "I was already exercising my snakes on the Recreation Ground until someone told me I could not. So I spoke to the RSPCA and the police and they said there was no law against it."

But the police directed Mr Fry to the landowner, Ledbury Town Council, and yesterday evening Mr Fry was set to make his case to the environment and leisure committee, so his snakes can return with official permission to the park they enjoy so much.

Mr Fry said: "They absolutely love it and they are so happy to be out there. It is better than being in a tank.

"I never leave their side when they are out. If I did they'd be off. They stay by me all the time."

Mr Fry pointed out that his snakes are not poisonous and are harmless.

Speaking before the meeting, Coun Martin Eager, the chairman of the environment and leisure committee, applauded Mr Fry's decision to "do the right thing" by seeking town council permission.

But he added: "I hope he won't bring one to the meeting with him. I can't do snakes, and if I came across him with them on the recreation ground, I'd run a mile.

"I do find it strange that he goes there to exercise them, and I can envisage more problems for him, now all this is out.

"But it is no different, really, from taking the dog there, and snakes make no mess, do they?"