A NINE-FOOT snake left on a Swindon bus is about to slip out of something to get more comfortable.

The common redtail boa constrictor, adopted by a reptile haven in Surrey, is preparing to shed its skin almost a month after sleeping rough in Stage-coach's lost property office in Swindon.

Its new owner Lynn Byfield, who runs the shelter in Alder-shot, said her new ward was settling in well.

She said: "He's doing well. His eyes have gone all milky and his skin has got darker, which shows that he's about to get rid of his skin.

"He's a big snake so it could take a good couple of weeks until it's complete.

"They aren't as friendly at this point because they can't see as well so rely on their heat sensors.

"It's hard to tell how old he is. It's as though he's been over fed because his head looks like he is about five and his body could belong to a snake several years older.

"He could be aged up to 20 we have no way of knowing."

Ms Byfield, a grandmother of six who is in her 50s, has between 40 and 50 snakes in her three-bedroom house, as well as owls, rabbits and ferrets.

The boa was discovered in a taped up, white polystyrene box, which had been left on the number 55 bus, which calls at Chippenham, Lyneham, Wootton Bassett, West Swindon and the town centre.

The package was taken into the Stagecoach office and remained unclaimed the next morning. Stagecoach staff discovered the snake after checking inside the box for security reasons.

The black and brown boa, which can crush its prey between powerful coils, is not venomous but could have been dangerous if it had slithered near a young child or pet.