A man was kicked out of a Waitrose for breaking their ban on animals - with his pet python.

Shoppers gasped at the sight of the slippery customer draped around the neck of its owner.

He spent around ten minutes wandering the aisles of the store in Beckenham, South London before being asked to leave by security staff.

His pet was a Royal Python, which can grow to six feet long, and is non-venomous and typically docile.

Waitrose confirmed they asked the man to leave because they only allow guide dogs and service animals in their stores.

Local Linda MacDonald was one of the scores of shoppers who saw the snake on Saturday afternoon.

She tweeted: "Did anyone see the man with the big snake causing a commotion in Beckenham Waitrose?

"It was a real, live snake. Security were called and took them out.

"Apparently he went into the store with a large snake round his neck, which caused a stir, and then was ejected by security."

Waitrose said: "With the exception of customers accompanied with their guide dogs and assistance dogs, we do not allow animals into our branches."

The RSPCA condemned the man for bringing his cold-blooded snake into a chilled supermarket.

They said: "Snakes are protected under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which means the owner has a 'duty of care' for the animal.

"Snakes are ectothermic animals, meaning they are reliant on the environment to warm up and cool down and must have access to a range of temperatures.

"Taking a snake outside would mean it is no longer in an appropriate, familiar and safe environment and could lead to it suffering from distress and health problems."