TWO men were arrested and two snakes taken into RSPCA care after a swoop on street photographers in Blackpool at the weekend.

RSPCA officers and Blackpool Police carried out raids on Sunday on two Golden Mile sites at the Promenade junctions with Osborne Road and Chapel Street.

Police arrested two men on suspicion of causing unnecessary cruelty to animals. They were interviewed and later bailed to reappear at Blackpool Police Station in December.

Two Burmese pythons -- one around seven feet long and the other around nine feet -- were seized by police, along with photographic equipment. The snakes were put into the care of specialists.

Six RSPCA inspectors, an animal collection officer and one other member of staff took part in the operation.

Operation co-ordinator, RSPCA inspector Greg Doughty, said: "Snakes are extremely difficult animals to look after properly. Among many other considerations they require specialist handling and have significant care requirements. We launched this operation with these concerns in mind.

"The RSPCA often relies on the support of other agencies to carry out its animal welfare work and we are grateful to the assistance from Blackpool Police, without whom this operation would not have been possible."