A deadly cobra was rescued after getting stuck in a 20ft deep well as it had a drink of water.

The reptile slithered into the damp pit but was unable to get out in Nakhon Si Thammarat, southern Thailand on August 27.

Resident Somjit Pankeaw, 65, said he was scared when he went to collect water and saw the snake writhing around in the water below.

He said: "We were quite shocked when we saw the serpent drinking the water from our well. Luckily, we saw it before it was harmed.''

The 5ft long cobra struggled to stay afloat while the man and his wife called the reptile rescuers for help.

Volunteers spent almost half an hour before they were able to pull the wriggling snake out of the water hole.

Aside from the well's depth, the aggressive snake could lash out and try to harm the rescuers with its venomous bite.

One of the rescuers said that the snake may have been thirsty and looking for a place to stay cool during the hot weather.

The snake was finally taken out of the well unharmed and placed inside a sack before it was released in the forests by rescuers.