A beloved family dog was left fighting for his life after he was bitten by a snake in long grass.

Del, a nine-year-old yellow Labrador, could have died and suffered swelling to his face, caused by the adder bite when he was walking with his owner Keith Williams in Goldhanger.

The pooch was unable to walk or even lick his lips after he was bitten on his face by the sea wall last Tuesday.

Mr Williams, of Burnham Road, Latchingdon, was walking Del and his two other labradors - Casper, six, and Jess, two - when he saw the eldest dog collapse at about 4pm.

He immediately took him to Blaircourt vets in Woodham Ferrers and arrived within half an hour.

His daughter Rachel Williams-Mattin, 41, said the vets swiftly gave Del anti-venom and warned that he may not be alive if he was bitten on his legs.

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