NEXT time your car engine is making a hissing noise you may want to call animal control rather than a garage.

A mechanic at a Bedfont MOT garage, got a nasty shock when during a routine check he discovered an eight-foot, black American Rat Snake under the bonnet of a van.

Prem Gharu, who works at The Test Centre in Staines Road, was just taking one final look under the bonnet of a Ford Transit Van on Wednesday, when he found the unwanted visitor.

"I couldn't believe it," said the 28-year-old. "I called over one of the apprentices and said 'hey doesn't this look like a snake' and then it moved and we got the shock of our lives."

Although scary in appearance the black snake which feeds on rodents and birds by constricting its body around them is actually considered one of the most popular reptile pets in the world.

The Heathrow Animal Reception Centre were called down to take away the slippery intruder, with manager Rob Quest saying: "These types of snake are very common in the pet trade. He will have gone missing and was looking for somewhere warm to hide."

If you know who the snake belongs to please contact the Reception Centre on 020 8745 7894.

Watch a YouTube video of the snake being discovered .