Rescuers handlers smashed through a ceiling to catch a 10ft-long python hiding inside.

The snake sparked panic inside the Wiset Chai Chan Education Center in Angthong, Thailand, when it was seen squeezing through a window on September 9.

Terrified staff rushed out of the building and called the emergency services while the snake slithered into ceiling.

One of the rescue volunteers used a crane to reach the second floor of the building from the outside to create a hole and find where it was. It was then found hiding in the middle of a conference room.

They stood on a chair while smashing a hole with a hammer and grabbing the snake.

The rescuers said that python might have been living in the big tree beside the office and entered looking for house lizards to eat.

Ting Supattra, one of the members of the tea, said: "This is the first time we took up the crane to catch the snake. Luckily no one was harmed by the animal."

The wild animal was put in a sack and taken by the rescuers to be released later in the woods.