A huge python sparked panic when it was seen slithering over a school building in the Philippines.

The 12ft-long serpent was first spotted by teachers as it was hiding under a parked car beside a tree with its tail poking out in Cebu province on September 7.

It tried to escape to the building nearby and climbed up the wall, trying to reach into the roof while curious onlookers and kids watched.

Footage shows the reptile retreating to a tree while a local official tried to drag it down without success using a rice sack for protection.

The animal had reached the ceiling of the building, where it was successfully retrieved by at least four volunteers.

It was then taken away from the compound with no one hurt, including the snake, before being turned over to wildlife officers.

Onlooker Dominic Botavara said: 'Snakes in a school are not safe. It could have eaten one of the pupils.'

The reticulated python is found throughout Southeast Asia, where they live in forests, swamps, canals and even in cities, causing them to come into conflict with humans. The species is one of the world's largest snakes and can eat humans, cats, dogs, birds, rats and other snakes.