A giant snake slithers away through the grass in a terrifying video captured by a dog walker this morning.

The serpent was spotted in Shorncliffe Military Cemetery in Cheriton by Matt McCready at about 11am.

Watch the moment a giant snake slithers though a cemetery

Shocked Mr McCready held back his dog Dobey just in case he bolted towards the rapid reptile.

He told KentOnline he thinks it was about 1.5m long and probably a grass snake.

The Cheriton resident and wife Becky had been walking down a path adjacent to the cemetery when he saw the creature "literally just chilling on the verge".

He said: "As we walked past it started moving along the fence line and then I started taking the video.

"I was a little shocked at first. I couldn't believe the size of it.

"My wife didn’t believe me until I physically pointed to it!

"I love wildlife so wanted to get closer without disturbing it, which is when I took the photo and video.

"It's the first snake I've ever seen in the wild in the UK."

Mr McCready says he has seen warnings to dog owners on local Facebook groups about venomous adders in the area. But he is sure this is a different species.

According to The Wildlife Trusts website, adders are about 60 to 80cm in length. But grass snakes can grow up to 150cm.

It adds: "The grass snake is usually greenish in colour - although this can vary. They have a yellow and black collar, pale belly, and dark markings down the sides.

"They are usually spotted in wetlands and grasslands but can be seen in gardens too.

"They can be attracted to compost heaps where they sometimes lay their eggs."

The harmless snake's average lifespan is 15 to 25 years.

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