A SKIN shed from a two-metre boa constrictor snake has been found by a child in Wells Park, Sydenham, but experts believe it may be a hoax.

Ronnie Porter, 10, from Haseltine Primary School, in Haseltine Road, Sydenham, stumbled upon a two-metre snake skin in Wells Park while walking the family dog with his mum Debbie, on July 4.

Mrs Porter, aged 32, said: "We were walking through the park's nature reserve when I saw something that looked like an old piece of tape.

"I was a bit surprised when I realised what it was and I panicked knowing that there might be a snake that large loose in the park."

Lewisham Council's animal welfare team took the skin to London Zoo last Friday, where it was identified as belonging to an adult boa constrictor.

However, experts at the zoo believe it is unlikely that the skin had been shed by a snake living wild and is most likely a practical joke.