Visitors to a Surrey theme park have been given the chance to enjoy a relaxing massage - from a royal python.

They were offered the snake massages to help them relax before going on a new ride, called Kobra, at Chessington World of Adventures. "Snake massages are said to produce a feeling of relaxation as the muscles in their bodies stimulate blood flow and massage tense joints," said a spokeswoman.

The unusual offer was made to people attending the VIP launch of Chessington's latest land, Wild Asia. It's based on an ancient kingdom and features the new ride, which spins through the air on a 90m track at a dizzying 43mph, at its heart. An Israeli health and beauty spa hit the headlines last year by offering snake massages among its range of treatments.

For the equivalent of nearly £50, clients at Ada Barak's spa can have six non-venomous snakes slither across their aching muscles and stiff joints. She insists that, once people get over any initial misgivings, they find physical contact with the creatures to be soothing.

It's hard to decide which would be the more unpleasant...


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