An 11-year-old boy was bitten by a snake while playing amongst long grass in a popular public park.

The family have now issued a warning to others who may be visiting with their little ones after young Michal was bitten in Friars Park, Shoebury, on Sunday.

After venturing into the grass to get his football, Michal Teper was attacked by a snake which the family suspect could be an adder.

Although they didn't realise he had even been bitten a first, a call to 111, pain, swelling and redness around the wound on his leg made it clear he needed medical help.

His mum, Renata Teper, refused to leave his side all night after seeing the pain he was in.

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She said: "It was about 1pm and he was playing in the children's play area before we walked through the park towards the Eastern lake.

"Michal ran ahead to play with his football when he ran through a patch of long grass, which I suspect had grown through lockdown.

"As he ran he felt something dark and little bite him. When we got back home his leg started to become more painful which is when he told me mum, I think I was bitten by snake.

"I wasn't 100 per cent sure what it was or what to do, so I Googled it and called 111.

"After waiting for two hours and then waiting another half hour to speak to a paramedic who knows all reptile bites, they finally saw the pictures and confirmed it was a snake bite.

"By this point it was three hours after he had been bitten so we just kept a close eye and observed him.

"All night I was up checking on him and he was in so much pain when he walked."

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The family's concerns began to grow as young Michal started to get a rash on his face.

Renata send pictures of the wound and his rash to the GP, who then gave him medication and anti-allergy tablets.

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The 40-year-old from Shoebury, continued: "The paramedic told us that he was lucky it was just a dry touch and that there was no infection.

"I thought at first maybe it was grass snake but this probably looks more like it was an adder. Michal couldn't explain exactly what it was as it all happened so quickly and he was running. He was probably even quicker than the snake!

"To this day I'm still trying to find out where I can report this, so for the mean time I'd ask people to please be careful when walking with kids or dogs in the parks or fields.

"It was very stressful for us, the grass after lockdown is very long and you don't know what it's hiding.

"I do think that it still shouldn't stop us enjoying our parks. Just be wary.

"Thankfully he is now okay and still loves reptiles. He even wants to study about wild animals in the future and wants to work with animals in the zoo or at a shelter!"

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Southend Councillor Carole Mulroney, said: “We encourage biodiversity in the borough by providing a variety of habitats in our parks and open spaces for wildlife, including areas of naturalisation and long grass which provide important habitat for many species and benefit the local environment.

“Snakes can be found across the UK. However, they are rarely seen by people and sightings in Southend are extremely unusual, as they tend to move away as you approach.

"Due to lockdown more sightings of wildlife have been reported and the currently hot weather means that reptiles such as snakes and lizards may be more active.

“While snakebites are unpleasant, they remain extremely uncommon in the UK. Bites from grass snakes are not venomous.

"Bites from our other native species, adders – which can typically be identified by the a criss-cross pattern along their backs - are venomous but are rarely dangerous if the professional treatment is administered at hospital.

“We would encourage people to enjoy our parks and green spaces and to look out for the native wildlife that lives in them.

"However, we urge visitors to be vigilant to what is around them when out and about and respect the environment. We hope the child in question recovers quickly from their wound and is not too traumatised by the experience.”