COMING across a two-foot long snake on an afternoon walk would give quite a few walkers a scare, but not this couple.

Barry Atkinson had been hiking on the Malvern Hills with his partner, Angela, when they came across the adder slithering across a path at the top of British Camp in October.

"I could hardly believe my eyes," he said, "I have been a keen wildlife watcher and photographer much of my adult life and, although I've seen many grass snakes, this was a first.

"It was about 20 to 25 inches long and it's head and were about the size of an adult's thumb."

(Image: Barry Atkinson)

Mr Atkinson took some photos from just a foot away from the snake before the snake uncoiled and travelled into the grass.

Mr Atkinson added: "Hopefully, we'll come across another one in the spring when they come out of hibernation.

"It's a tall order though as adders are rarely seen, especially in the open like this."