MOTHER-OF-THREE Michele Evans - who lives next door to an exotic pet shop in Cinderford - is campaigning for a change in pet legislation.

Michele, who lives next door to the Second Chance store in Market Street, found a snake in her garden.

"We had no idea if it was venomous. We didn't know how to handle the situation," she said.

Shop owner Tim Carr insists that the snake did not escape from his shop.

He said: "It didn't come from here.

"There are lots of people in Cinderford who own snakes. We actually sell very few animals.

"All of our cages are locked and we have regular inspection by the pet licensing authorities."

For the full story, read The Forester.