Giant snake flushed down toilet among bizarre discoveries inside sewers

A giant snake flushed down a toilet, live crabs and even household appliances are among the bizarre discoveries made inside Britain's sewers.

Thames Water has revealed some of the strangest objects and creatures its workers have encountered while tackling blockages across its vast 100,000km sewer network.

Among the most unusual finds was a corn snake, a species native to the United States, which was spotted lurking inside a sewer pipe during a camera inspection.

The company suspects the reptile was an abandoned pet which had been flushed down a toilet and ended up in the underground network.

It is not the only unexpected animal to have turned up in the pipes, with workers also discovering rats and live crabs.

The crustaceans are thought to have potentially entered the sewer system accidentally during periods of heavy rain and flooding.

But the animal kingdom is not the only source of strange discoveries.

Thames Water teams have also come across an extraordinary collection of household belongings, including fridges, televisions and mobile phones.

The company spends more than £40 million every year clearing around 75,000 sewer blockages, many of which are caused by items that should never have been flushed down toilets or poured into sinks.

The scale of the problem is highlighted by one sewage treatment works, which removes around 1,000 tonnes of unflushable material every month.

Tim Davies, head of waste operations in North London at Thames Water, said the unusual discoveries were a reminder of the importance of disposing of household waste properly.

He said: “We look after more than 100,000km of sewers across London and the Thames Valley so our teams often come across unusual items in the system.

“While these discoveries can be surprising, it's an important reminder that only the three Ps - pee, poo and toilet paper - should be flushed down the loo.”

Mr Davies warned that wet wipes, including those marketed as flushable, sanitary products and cotton buds could all contribute to serious blockages.

These can lead to sewage flooding homes, pollution in local rivers and disruption for customers and the environment.

He urged households to put these items in the bin instead, helping to keep the sewer network flowing and prevent damage.

He added that when animals are discovered in the system, Thames Water teams work with specialist rescue organisations wherever possible to ensure they are recovered safely and receive any necessary care.

And while the discovery of a snake or a crab might raise eyebrows, the company had one final message for anyone tempted to dispose of unwanted electrical goods down the toilet.

Televisions and other household appliances, it said, have no place in the sewer system.