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

Pampered python Scarlet is the biggest creature ever taken in at the Reptile Trust sanctuary, in Burnopfield, County Durham.

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

The slothful snake became too heavy to handle for its former owner, in Perth, Scotland, 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, it 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.

"Basically, a python just stays put and doesn't burn off much energy. It's only when it gets hungry in the wild that it moves much."

Although normally docile, Burmese pythons, the world's sixth biggest variety of snake, are capable of constricting and could kill an adult.

But the expert handlers at the trust have had more problems with Scarlet's bulk.

However, 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 off the trust's hands and GB Airlines has agreed to deliver the unusual cargo.

Once Scarlet's period of quarantine at the sanctuary is completed, it will be taken to his new home in the warmth of the Algarve.