SOUTHERN DAILY ECHO (Southampton, UK) 10 November 07 Snake on loose at radio station (Corey Stephenson)
It was supposed to be a prank to leave a Hampshire radio presenter quivering in fear live on air. But when Power FM breakfast duo Zoe and Gillie decided to shock travel reporter Sparky into handling a 3ft snake little did they know the creature would later terrify the entire station.
After successfully frightening their travel correspondent in the morning feature Scare Sparky as he blindly placed his hand in three mysterious boxes - the third containing the Royal Python, normally found in central and western Africa - the Power FM crew decided to try and play a second trick on their new boss.
But after secretly storing the flame-coloured python - nicknamed Dave - in the office of new managing director Hugh Murray, breakfast show co-presenter Zoe found the snake had escaped from its cage.
It sent the entire Power FM team into chaos as word got round that a snake was on the loose.
Rebecca Leahy, marketing manager for Power FM, said: "Hours passed until Zoe went to check on the new member to the Power FM family and realised it had disappeared.
"All staff were then notified that it had escaped and without the fire warden in the office to direct the staff - they had no other choice but to panic and check underneath their desks."
Following his on-air encounter with the snake, which is a common pet snake and can grow up to 5ft long, Rebecca said that Power FM's Sparky couldn't believe what was happening to him and was "shaking like a squatting dog".
"He is also praying that there is nothing more to come," she added.
After an hour of chaotic searches through the radio studio in Whiteley, the snake was found on a bookcase in the managing director's office.
Zoe said: "I don't think I have ever laughed as much as I did since starting at Power FM. I'm now looking forward to my next performance development review."
Managing director Hugh Murray said when the snake first went missing everyone was extremely concerned because it was a serious health and safety issue.
"At first I thought it might have been our new Power breakfast team playing a practical joke, but as the time went on with no trace of the snake I realised that the incident was deadly serious," he said.
Snake on loose at radio station