A WOMAN was in for a shock when she came face to face with a snake in her garden.

Emma Cox, of St Oswald's Close, Kidderminster, spotted the slithering reptile earlier this week.

The 31-year-old said: "It was one of those double-take moments. It was literally right in front of my path to get into my front door.

"It was a bit of a shock. It obviously had a sunny spot and was enjoying the sunshine".

Ms Cox, who is an outdoor activities instructor, said she was concerned for her little terrier Charlie.

However, she took to Facebook to ask for more information about the creature, with people assuring her it was a "harmless" grass snake.

Worcestershire Wildlife Trust identified the snake and said: "By its length, it’s likely to be a mature female – they can grow up to 1.5 metres in length.

"Grass snakes are olive green/brown with black markings along the side of their bodies and a yellow ‘collar’ behind their head.

"They are Worcestershire’s most common reptile but they’re not seen very often and their numbers are declining.

"They’re often faithful to breeding and hunting sites so the loss of ponds, both in gardens and the wider landscape, as well the loss of long grass near to waterways and a decline in their prey (from frogs and toads to fish and newts) all contribute to a reduction in their numbers.

"Grass snakes are not venomous and will usually gently move into cover when they feel footsteps vibrating along the ground".

A grass snake was also recently spotted in nearby Broadwaters Park.

The wildlife trust has encouraged people who have spotted grass snakes to take a picture or video and upload it with a few details via www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/wildlife-sightings