Builders were stunned after a 14ft long python slithered into their digger.

Tanu Yansungnoen, 45, was clearing farmland yesterday (February 24) afternoon, in Chachoengsao, eastern Thailand, when he noticed the huge reptile.

The machine operator shrieked with fright when the deadly snake climbed into the excavator's large metal bucket.

He tried to shake the python off the vehicle but it kept returning to its new hiding place.

Tanu said: "I tried to take the python out of the way because I wanted to finish my work without injuring the animal. But it kept coming back onto the machine.''

The driver tried to clear the snake away but each time it returned to the metal tub. He then called the emergency services who sent reptile handlers to catch the python.

The volunteers finally caught the wild animal then put a sock on its head to prevent it from biting anyone.

The huge python was loaded onto the truck to be released back into the thick woods by the reptile specialists

Tanu added: ''I was clearing the land for it to be used for growing crops, so I'm glad the snake has gone now. At first, it was very aggressive and wouldn't leave so I'm thankful that people came to help me.''