PLAYERS have been told to keep their children away from a patch of grass after a club gained a slippery new neighbour. 

Staff at Rushwick Cricket Club discovered a new player on its pitch after finding a snake slithering around its grounds.

The snake, nicknamed Sid by the club on Upper Wick Lane, was spotted hiding in the long grass by the sheds.

READ MORE: Map of snake sightings in Worcestershire as RSPCA warns snake and dog owners

The reptile's arrival has led the club to warn its players and visitors to keep their children away from the area until Sid has gone away.

Sid was first spotted at Rushwick Cricket Club on Friday (July 19).

A club spokesperson said: "We have a new local neighbour, Sid, who’s in the long grass by the sheds.

"Please keep your kids away from their area tonight or feel free to feed Sid with your naughty kids or spouse."

In Worcestershire, various snakes have been spotted, including an adder, a smooth snake and an aesculapian snake.

There are three species of snake found in the UK: Grass snakes, adders and smooth snakes. Of these, only the adder is venomous and a danger to dogs.

There have been at least three dogs reported to have been bitten by a snake on Claines Recreation Ground along Cornmeadow Lane.

The reports suggested the bites could have been from an adder, the UK's only venomous snake which is protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. 

However, these claims were proven to be unlikely. 

Adders are generally more active in the spring and early summer having just come out of hibernation, and their venom is more potent.

The adder is grey in colour and has a dark zig-zag pattern down its back and a red eye.

If you believe your dog may have been bitten by an adder, experts advise you to speak to a vet immediately.