This is the terrifying moment a 17ft long python was caught in a family's living room ceiling - moments after killing a neighbourhood cat.

Sunkorn Chantana, 39, was at home with wife Jinnipa, 32, when they noticed the serpent strangling the hapless moggy on a balcony opposite. Chillingly, it disappeared into the rafters then 20 minutes later they then heard the hungry reptile slithering above their heads.

The terrified couple - who had Sunkorn's elderly mother staying with them - called rescue workers who arrived shortly after. They cut a hole in the roof and reached inside to grab the snake's tail. They then had a nail-biting tug-of-war with the serpent which came crashing down onto the tiled floor.

Sunkorn, a financial trader, said: ''The cat was a wild one that lived in around the houses. It was upsetting to see the snake get it, but it didn't have time to eat it. I feel sorry for the cat.It was scary when the snake came inside our house. It is like a horror movie with a killer snake on the loose inside the roof. It was about five metres long.The rescue group did a very good job to catch the snake. I am thankful to them. It doesn't matter about the hole in the ceiling, that's a small price to fix. It is better than having a python hunting in your house.''

Rescue workers believe the snake - capable of killing and eating a human - was angry and still hunting a meal having let the cat escaped from its jaws.

The python was dragged outside and stuffed inside an old rice bag before being driven away several miles to be released into the wild.