The animal was later discovered to be a non-venomous corn snake (Picture: RSPCA/PA)

An Essex woman woke from a peaceful weekend nap to discover a three-foot long snake trying to get into her bedroom window.

The startled sleeper ran out of her room and shut the door before ringing the RSPCA for help getting rid of the unwanted visitor.

The male, later identified as a non-venomous corn snake, was trying to come into the warm in Hereford Walk, Basildon, on Saturday, October 8.

It comes after another slithering serpent – this time an allegedly 18 foot python – caused horror near Southampton in August.

This time the much smaller reptile had hidden itself away when help arrived – leading to fears that it could have got into the unidentified woman’s bed linen.

A rookie RSPCA officer, who had only started rescuing animals a month earlier, was tasked with getting the creature out.

Enola Evans explained: ‘It’s not every day you get woken up by a snake trying to get into your bedroom through a window – the woman was terribly shocked.

The male snake hid in the window before being found (Picture: RSPCA/PA)

‘By this time, there was no sign of the snake at the window, so the resident gave me permission to search her bedroom, in case it had come inside and hidden somewhere warm.

‘But after thoroughly checking bed linen, and other possible hiding places in the bedroom, the snake was still nowhere to be found.’

Corn snakes, which are often kept as pets, can grow to 150cm long – just shy of 5ft, and can live for 10 to 15 years.

They need access to heat to keep their bodies warm.

The snake was taken away to be cared for (Picture: RSPCA/PA)

Enola continued: ‘As the window had been open for so long, it was getting quite chilly in there, so I decided to shut it. That’s when I spotted something moving.

‘It was the snake, coiled around the window’s rim. He had been very well-hidden, so I was really pleased to find him.’

The snake was then moved into a carrier and taken to an expert boarding facility for care until he could be reunited with his owner or put up for adoption.

It is unclear where he came from or whether his owner is likely to be found.

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Last year, the RSPCA received 1,219 reports about pet snakes in need of help, including many stray snakes.

A high number of calls came in during the summer months as snakes become more active during hot weather.

RSPCA scientific officer Evie Button explained: ‘Snakes are excellent escape artists and will take the opportunity of a gap in an enclosure door, or a loose-fitting lid to make a break for it.’

Snake owners are urged to be vigilant, invest in an enclosure suitable for the species and make sure that enclosure is kept secure – and locked if necessary – when unattended.

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She ran out of the room only for the reptile to hide and an expert to wonder if it might have slithered into her bed linen.