WHEN Cleo stretched her full 19 feet of scaly skin to soak up the sun's warm rays on the roof of her County Durham home she caused a stir among the neighbours.

The 13-year-old Burmese python, weighing in at a hefty 11 stones, had smashed her way out of a sealed glasshouse and forced open a bedroom window in her bid for freedom.

RSPCA officers and firefighters fought for three hours to get her back into captivity.

Cleo's case was one of 808 complaints, rescues and abandonments involving exotic animals in Yorkshire and the North-East in the past year.

Now the RSPCA is lobbying the Government to place tighter controls on the trade and ownership of exotic species.

RSPCA regional superintendent Dave Millard said: "We are deeply concerned about the number of exotic animals, including dangerous wild animals, being kept as pets and the amount of suffering involved.

"Many people buy them with little idea of how difficult they are to keep, and the animals are neglected when the novelty wears off and the commitment hits home."

Cleo's exploits were less sinister than some RSPCA discoveries in the past 12 months.

Travellers on a P&O passenger ferry bound for Hull were put at risk when a poisonous western diamond back rattlesnake was found in a luggage bag. It was among 11 other snakes and two tortoises which Customs officers believe was being smuggled into the country, after being bought at a German trade fair.

Eight deadly snakes were recovered from a Sheffield home.

By law, some exotic animals, such as certain monkeys, crocodiles and poisonous species, should be subject to a Dangerous Wild Animals licence issued by local authorities.

An RSPCA survey of councils across England and Wales showed that only around 320 licences are held. The society described this as a "serious under-representation" of the true number of dangerous wild animals kept.

RSPCA calls for a tightening of the law on keeping dangerous animals were backed by Darlington exotic pet shop Coast to Coast.

A spokesperson said: "Bringing in a law where you have got to have a licence to keep dangerous wild animals like crocodiles is important.

"But for corn snakes and spiders and the like, there is no need. They are no more dangerous than rabbits, cats and dogs."

The Northern Echo launched its Animal Watch campaign with help from the RSPCA earlier this year. It aims to stop animals being mistreated by encouraging people to report cases of cruelty to the police or RSPCA