Video shows large venomous snake at Cuckmere Haven, East Sussex

A video taken at Cuckmere Haven on Thursday shows an adder moving through the grass.

Lewes resident Hannah Thompson, who filmed the snake, shared the video on social media and it has now been viewed thousands of times.

One social media user said:” Wow. It's absolutely beautiful. Love the video, so lucky.”

Another said: “There have been a lot of sightings locally already this year, and no doubt more since the weather is warmer.

“Be careful with your dogs and keep a lookout.”

Adders have been spotted at the South Downs National Park in previous years, with officials urging dog walkers to watch out for the snakes.

Adder's have been spotted in the South Downs National Park in previous years

A spokesman for the park said: “We’ve had reports of an increased number of adder sightings in the national park, which is excellent news.

“Although adders are usually shy, they are venomous, and dogs should be kept on the lead on access land just to be on the safe side.”

The adder is the only venomous snake native to the UK.

A spokesman for The Sussex Wildlife Trust said they can “be spotted basking in the sunshine in woodland glades and on heathlands”.

He said: “They spend the winter in hiding until the first days of spring, when the earth starts to warm and the adders awaken.

“Males emerge first and will spend several weeks basking, often returning to the same spot each day.

“Most have a distinctive dark zigzag stripe along the length of their spine and are silvery-grey, while the larger females are brownish.

He added: “An adder bite is a very rare occurrence, and can be painful, but is almost never fatal.”

But the bites can have a more serious effect on dogs.