text: Pensioner David Atherton was shocked to find a three-foot snake slithering inside his oven when he innocently went to cook his pie and chips. The 65-year old from Halliwell, Bolton was just about to put his meal in the cooker when he caught sight of the black and white California king hiding inside. Atherton scooped up the reptile and placed it in a plastic food recycling box before alerting the police. Shocked: David Atherton, 65, went to put his meal in the oven when he discovered a three-foot California king snake (pictured) hiding inside . RSPCA officers came to collect the snake the same evening and it has been given a temporary home with a local conservationist since. Atherton's 73-year-old sister Margaret - who has a phobia of snakes - became severely distressed when she heard about the incident and needed to go to hospital with heart problems. He said: 'Her phobia is so bad she cannot even look at a snake on TV, let alone see one in real life. 'I would not like to hazard a guess as to what would have happened if she had been the one to open the oven and see it. It could have been much worse.' He added: 'When I pulled down the oven door I saw the snake hanging down from the side and and at first I thought it was part of a food packet, but then I realised what it was. 'There is a small gap between the oven and the fitted cupboards, which must be what it came through. 'You could not make it up and I must confess it is not something that happens every day.' Experts said the banded California king snakes can grow up to 6ft in length and were commonly kept as pets. Slither: Atherton - whose sister has an extreme phobia of snakes - scooped up the reptile and placed it inside a plastic food recycling box (pictured) RSPCA inspector Melissa Furey said it is common to see an influx of snakes coming out in April as the weather gets warmer. She added: 'It is the time of year when they come out basking in the sun - this is the second escaped snake in just over a week which has made an appearance in Greater Manchester. 'Pet owners need to be responsible and make sure they have the correct equipment - vivariums with locks - because snakes are really good escape artists and can slip through the smallest of gaps.'
target: 65-year-old David Atherton shocked to discover the black and white reptile .
  He placed it inside a plastic food recycling box while waiting for the police .
  His sister is so scared of snakes she had 'heart problems' when she heard .
  Influx of snakes is common in April when weather is warmer, RSPCA says .