A snake caused a panic when it slithered out of hiding at a North-East university.

The stowaway was found by a student at Sunderland University's flats, in Chester Road yesterday afternoon.

The building was evacuated and 20 students had to wait outside while the runaway reptile was captured.

It was found to be a harmless Chinese grass snake, which was thought to have stowed away in the luggage of one of the international students.

University head of corporate affairs Alison Steel said: "One of our international students very bravely decided to help the other student capture the snake. Unfortunately, in the course of doing that he got bitten on the finger.

"It was not a dangerous snake, but it was obviously a distressing incident."

The student was taken to hospital for blood tests before being discharged. He suffered no ill effects from the bite.

The snake was collected by Durham Police's wildlife liaison officer.