A grass snake had to be rescued by a vet when it got stuck in a drain with a frog in its throat.
A man spotted the reptile trapped in grating in his garden and gently carried it into a local vet - still stuck.
Surgeon Richard Jones planned to cut off the grid with a hacksaw but then slipped the snake free with some lubricant.
The two-foot snake decided against swallowing the frog and regurgitated it shortly after being freed.
The householder then took it home and released it back in his garden where it was found.
Richard, of Sidmouth Veterinary Practice, said: "A gentleman found the snake stuck in a drain in his garden and brought it into us.
"It had become completely stuck. It was clear it had eaten something as it had an extra couple of inches around it's girth.
"I thought I was going to have to soar off the grate but after using lots of lubricant, I managed to free it within around 10 minutes."
Richard added: "It was absolutely fine but regurgitated the frog soon after.
"The gentleman then took the snake home and released it back into his garden."
