An aggressive monitor lizard was caught after hiding inside an old wardrobe.

The 5ft long reptile terrified the family when it was heard rummaging around in their utility room in Saraburi, central Thailand.

Emergency animal catchers arrived and found the lizard in a cupboard. They then used a racing bike to joust with the beast as it hissed menacingly.

The team eventually managed to throw a towel over the water monitor lizard's head lo disorientate it for long enough for them to carry it outside.

Volunteers measured the reptile and it was around 5ft long. They then released it into the wild.

The resident Sutheeraphan Pheunphannich, 57, said he tried to chase away the reptile from his front yard but it darted into his house and his in wardrobe.

He said: "I first saw it this morning then I used a broom to chase it away but it ran into my house. It was a big one so I was scared of being bitten.