LITTLE Phoebe Fisher discovered a snake in the grass on her way to nursery - and it stuck its tongue out just to prove it was the real thing.

Phoebe, three, was walking through Didsbury Park in Manchester with her mum when she spotted it in the early-morning sunshine.

It was so still they thought it was a toy at first and when mum Ruth rushed Phoebe to her nearby playgroup other parents told her it must be a prank.

But when a group of mums went back to have a second look the snake soon proved it was no joke - by showing its tongue.

"It caused a lot of shrieks," said Mrs Fisher.

The snake, later identified as a non-venomous corn snake, was picked up by experts from Stockport Tortoises, Reptiles and Pets, who had been called out by another resident

Mark Knight, from the firm, said: "I suspect this may have been an escaped pet. If anyone can identify it as theirs they should contact us."