PHOTOGRAPHER Chris Whitty believes he spotted a young barred grass snake slithering across a path in Farnham Park, less than a month after the species was formally recognised.

The barred grass snake, Natrix helvetica, is now recognised by scientists as a species in its own right distinct from the common or eastern grass snake (Natrix natrix) - taking England’s total of native snake species from three to four.

Both reptiles can be found in lowland areas of southern England and, unlike the adder (Vipera berus), neither creature is venomous. The only other British snake, the smooth snake (Coronella austriaca), is also non-venomous and extremely rare.

Grass snakes grow to more than 3ft in length and typically live near water, mainly feeding on amphibians such as frogs, toads and newts. Mr Whitty spotted his snake at the bottom of The Avenue in the park.

The barred grass snake is more grey in colour than its olive green cousin and lacks its most striking feature, a bright yellow collar. Along the body are dark bands that are much more pronounced than they are in the common grass snake.