Almost 40 snakes have been stolen from a flat in England.

Police say 38 non-venomous Royal Pythons - including eight pregnant females and 11 young snakes - were taken from the property in St Helens last Monday.

Merseyside Police say two men were seen leaving the area with sacks, before making off in a dark-coloured vehicle.

Officers are warning that some of the snakes need specialist care, and can grow to around five foot in length. However police believe there is little risk of the public coming into contact with the snakes, and that the reptiles will more than likely be offered to people experienced with snake handling.

Detective Constable Neil Henry of St Helens CID, said, “this is a large collection of snakes that the victim had been gathering for a while.

"Clearly, there is a specialised market for such snakes and we would appeal to anyone involved in the buying and selling of snakes to look out for any Royal Pythons that they may be offered and consider whether they may have come from this address," he added.