A large python flushed out by floods was caught on a road after heavy rain in Thailand.

The 13ft-long serpent was nesting in the sewers when the deluge filled up the drains in Nakhon Si Thammarat province on October 24.

It was chased out of its habitat and was forced to retreat onto a nearby concrete path where playing children found it.

Footage shows animal rescuers and little boys carrying the snake off the ground as it coiled around the catching pole. Another clip showed the snake being measured while a youngster sat on it.

One of the rescue team said: ‘The kids were excited to see the snake and played with it like it was a doll. They called their parents who contacted our team.

‘When we arrived, the snake was still on the road. We think that the snake came from the sewers and was disturbed by recent floods.'

The large snake blocked traffic as several riders could not pass through the road.

Using a pole with noose, the rescuer hooked its neck while a colleague calmed it down. They measured the creature at the scene and took it inside a sack for release.

No one was hurt in the incident while the rescue team reminded the children about safety when handling wild animals.