Deadly snake on loose for a week in Australian cinema

One of the world's deadliest snakes caused mayhem after it was found warming itself under a popcorn machine in a Northern Territory cinema - less than a metre from teenage staff.

It took one week to catch the 60cm western brown.

The snake, which staff had thought was harmless, was first seen by a security guard as it made its way up the front ramp of the CMAX cinema in Palmerston. It disappeared through a vent.



Staff believed it was a harmless tree snake. They did not see it again until Friday night - when they discovered it living in the cinema's candy bar.

Snake catcher Gordon Canning was called in and saw teenage staff members searching for the snake in cupboards. "I don't think they realised just how deadly this thing was", he said.

Mr Canning captured the snake and released it away from populated areas.