An exotic snake that has been missing in the walls of a block of flats for weeks has finally reappeared.

Cleo, an eastern kingsnake, has been loose in the walls of College Court in Eastern Road, Brighton, for almost a month.

Much to the relief of owner Lara Jay, 72, it was found on Monday.

The reptile slithered its way through a half-inch gap in Ms Jay’s bathroom wall on November 7 and failed to return.

The pet’s owner admitted to The Argus that Cleo could “pop up anywhere” in the building in the following weeks or months, which caused panic among neighbouring residents.

Last week, The Argus received a call from one worried resident who said he was moving out of the property over fears he would come face-to-face with the creature.

The frightened 68-year-old neighbour said he was “packing his bags and leaving” because he “couldn’t bear” the thought of finding Cleo among his possessions in the basement.

Five-foot-long Cleo, like other kingsnakes, is comparatively harmless and not venomous.

But Ms Jay has since apologised for any concern caused and has reassured neighbours they can now relax.

She said: “I think people have been a bit upset with me and I’m sorry about that. Cleo came back through the same gap in the bathroom wall and she’s now back in her housing.”

Ms Jay said she was ecstatic about her pet’s return.

She added: “I’ve had her for ten years and I’m just so happy she’s come back. I’m really ecstatic.

“My old snake died of ovarian cancer so it would have been hard not seeing Cleo again. Anyway, it is all over now and I apologise again to anyone who has been a bit anxious about what’s happened.”