A PET which outgrew its former home is shedding pounds prior to flying off to the sun.

Pampered python Scarlet is the heaviest ever creature taken in at the Reptile Trust in Burnopfield.

Although only 11ft-long, the Burmese python weighs 14 stones and has a girth of up to 30ins.

The slovenly snake became too heavy to handle for its former owner in Perth, Scotland, and so the trust was contacted to take Scarlet off his hands.

On arrival at the trust's Busty Bank premises last week Scarlet was immediately put on a strict diet.

Trust education officer John Grundy said: "Apparently he was being fed four rabbits a month, which is far in excess of what a python requires.

"We've cut it down to one rabbit a month, which is all it needs."

The trust has already managed to find a new home for their overweight lodger.

Crazy World nature park in Portugal has agreed to take Scarlet and GB Airlines has agreed to deliver the unusual cargo.

Once Scarlet's period of quarantine at the sanctuary is completed he will head to his new home in the warmth of the Algarve.