Reptile Rescue East Coast co- ordinator Bruce Press was called to the Seaside Treasures art gallery after co-owner Richard Hutchison spotted one of the reptiles as he entered the bathroom.

His wife Jenny said her husband initially thought there was one snake in the shower.

"It was lucky the snake went in first otherwise he would have been stuck in there with it," she said.

"You usually see one snake a year down near the gate ... and we did see a small one on the deck a few weeks ago."

Mr Press travelled from Swansea to remove one male and one female snake, picking up a trainee snake handler from Bicheno on the way.

"The snakes had been living in the house for quite a while," he said.

"It is mating season so snakes are actively seeking partners so people should be on the lookout."Both snakes were released at Cranbrook. For snake removals, call Mr Press on 0400502403.