Network Rail had to clear an railway embankment at Shap after some adders had made their home there.

Shap Cutting had become overgrown with birch and brash, which was providing too much shade for certain species, including Adders.

Network Rail said: "Network Rail is helping to protect snakes and lizards which have made the railway their home in Cumbria.

"South and west facing railway embankments and cuttings provide ideal conditions for cold blooded reptiles to bask in the sun’s warmth.

"Shap Cutting had become overgrown with birch and brash providing too much shade for certain species to survive and thrive."

Senior Reserves Officer at Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Joe Murphy, said: "Adders are actually very shy and now quite rare at a national level most probably due to habitat loss.

"They’re our only venomous snake but they very rarely bite people, unless you accidentally tread on one or try to pick them up.

"They prefer to slither off into the undergrowth rather than confront and bite people or their pets.

"They use their venom to immobilise and kill their prey, which is small mammals, nestlings and lizards.

"Their poison is generally of little danger to humans but if bitten, you should seek medical attention."