A care home was treated to an unexpected visitor when a student visitor brought along his pet snake.

Pensioners staying in Jewish care home Nightingale House, in Nightingale Lane, took a shine to the python when it visited on June 13.

Some even picked it up after the pupil brought it along when visiting with his class mates from Northcote Lodge School, in Bolingbroke Grove, Battersea.

The boys, aged 12 to 13, entertained residents with a karate demonstration and a Shakespeare reading.

They also played the trumpet, while three youngsters performed a Bob Marley song.

Helen Spiro, Nightingale House Activities Coordinator, said: "This has to be a first for Nightingale House. I don’t think we have ever had a snake visiting before.

"The boys from Northcote Lodge School were here to visit and entertain the residents and when the python was brought out, the residents were surprisingly taken with it.

"Visits from local schools are always lots of fun and the residents really enjoy the energy and enthusiasm that young students bring."