One of the world’s deadliest snakes was discovered on an industrial estate in Salford after surviving a 4,000-mile journey from Pakistan.
The deadly saw-scaled viper, which is said to be ‘more than capable of killing people’, had travelled inside a shipping container to Manchester Brick Specialists last month.
An unsuspecting forklift driver came across the reptile on December 17th before the company’s logistics manager confined the snake with a cardboard box and called the RSPCA, who say it is ‘lucky’ it didn’t bite anyone.
RSPCA
RSPCA inspector Ryan King, who was called out to deal with the snake, spoke of his disbelief and admitted he was a little sceptical when the report first came in.
He told ITV News: “Sometimes we get to jobs like this and it turns out to be a harmless grass snake – we have even attended snake reports which turn out to be plastic toys.
“However, I only had to take a quick look to realise we were dealing with a reptile which was more than capable of killing people with its highly toxic venom.”
Ryan wore protective clothing to ensure the snake was captured safely, before transporting it to its new home in Liverpool to live with a carer who has a license to look deadly reptiles.
RSPCA
Ryan added: “I just think it was so lucky that they had spotted the snake – they are very small and it could have easily bitten someone and it seems he has been in the brickyard for about a month.”
The forklift driver who discovered the snake, known only as Michael, also spoke of his shock, saying he couldn’t believe how venomous the snake turned out to be. He added: “I knew to keep a safe distance but obviously had no idea how deadly this snake was – it was pretty shocking!
“Looking back now it really was a good job it was spotted and dealt with or who knows what could have happened.
“The container was shipped at the beginning of November so it seems amazing that the snake has survived for seven weeks away from its natural environment but I am glad it is now safe in a new home.”
They may have passed their tests a while ago, but some drivers are only just realising they have been using roundabouts wrong.
When it comes to roundabouts, most drivers will probably feel very confident they know what they are doing and think they how to use them correctly.
So, you know to give way to the right, but which way should you be indicating and which lane should you select for the turn-off you want?
We all remember being a nervous learner driver and the sheer panic that would overcome you when approaching a roundabout.
But after plenty of practice they soon become a doddle – until you’ve been driving while and have picked up some bad habits.
Roundabouts are some of the most common places where you hear angry drivers beeping their horns because someone has pulled out or driven into the wrong lane, and all sorts of silly reasons.
Many motorists will already know that if you’re taking the first exit off the roundabout, you select the left-hand lane and use your indicator to signal left – unless some signs or markings indicate otherwise – as per the Highway Code.
And when you’re turning right, you should select the right-hand lane with your indicator signalling right – and keep to the right before you need to change lanes.
However, if you’re driving straight over the roundabout, this is where many drivers get a little confused and make common mistakes.
According to the Highway Code, if your ‘intermediate exit’ is positioned at 12 ’o’ clock, you need to be in the left-hand lane – not the right-hand lane as many drivers seem to think.
It sates that you should ‘select the appropriate lane on approach to the roundabout, you should not normally need to signal on approach, you should stay in this lane until you need to alter course to exit the roundabout, and you should signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want’.
It says that when there are more than three lanes at the entrance to a roundabout, you should use the most appropriate lane on approach and while you’re driving through it – which basically means you should use your common sense based on the rules of the roundabout.
The Highway Code also says: “When reaching the roundabout you should give priority to traffic approaching from your right, unless directed otherwise by signs, road markings or traffic lights, check whether road markings allow you to enter the roundabout without giving way.
“If so, proceed, but still look to the right before joining, watch out for all other road users already on the roundabout; be aware they may not be signalling correctly or at all and look forward before moving off to make sure traffic in front has moved off.”
And when it comes to looking out for cyclists, it adds: “You should give priority to cyclists on the roundabout. They will be travelling more slowly than motorised traffic. Give them plenty of room and do not attempt to overtake them within their lane. Allow them to move across your path as they travel around the roundabout.”
A surprising number of Americans believe that chocolate milk comes from brown cows, a survey has revealed.
Around 7% of US adults think the sweet flavoured milk is brown due to the colour of cow it comes from, a survey commissioned by the Innovation Centre of US Dairyside has revealed.
The research was conducted on 1,000 people over the age of 18.
That 7% equates to around 16.4 million Americans – which doesn’t seem such a small number when you put it like that.
That’s the equivalent of the population of Pennsylvania who are misinformed chocolate milk drinkers, and do not know that the basic ingredients of chocolate milk consist of milk, cocoa and sugar.
While 7% thought chocolate milk came from brown cows, around 48% of Americans said they didn’t know where chocolate milk came from – we’re not sure which is worse.
Speaking to The Washington Post, Cecily Upton, co-founder of the nonprofit FoodCorps, which brings agricultural and nutrition education into elementary schools, said: “At the end of the day, it’s an exposure issue.
“Right now, we’re conditioned to think that if you need food, you go to the store.
“Nothing in our educational framework teaches kids where food comes from before that point.”
Thankfully, the survey isn’t verified and hasn’t been released either, so perhaps the state of the agricultural knowledge of Americans isn’t as bad as it seems.
A previous study – conducted in the 1990s – also showed that one in five adults did not know that hamburgers are made of beef, and many lacked knowledge of basic farming facts.
But it seems many children and adults don’t seem too interested in trying to find things out for themselves either.
Upton added: “We still get kids who are surprised that a French fry comes from a potato, or that a pickle is a cucumber.
“Knowledge is power. Without it, we can’t make informed decisions.”
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Viral trainspotting enthusiast Francis Bourgeois was spotted driving a tram, before attending the Niall Horan gig at the AO Arena last week.
The social media sensation was seen on the Metrolink stand of Victoria station, in Manchester, on Thursday (March 7th) as fans captured sneaky shots of him.
After a day out exploring Manchester and driving trams at the depot with Transport for Greater Manchester, Bourgeois was later seen pulling into Victoria Station on a Bee Network tram for the sold out concert at the AO Arena.
The geeky, fun-loving trainspotter has taken to his instagram to tell fellow enthusiasts what he got up to across the Bee Network.
Alongside a video of the fun day out he had in the city, he posted: “My first time ever driving a tram and having a cab ride to Victoria Station, home of the AO Arena!
“Thank you so much @aoarena and Manchester Metrolink for making this possible!”
In the video, Bourgeois is seen donning a tram driver’s uniform and high-vis vest before he pulls a point using all his strength.
With the points in place, and wearing a small video camera on his head, he then took to the driving seat in the tram and made his way along the tracks, pulling into Victoria station.
The social media star can then be seen laughing excitedly as he says he ‘really could not believe what I was doing’, and adds: “Oh, wow!” as another tram beeps and waves at him.
After he ‘wiggled’ his way into the station, the Bourgeois made his way to the AO Arena where he got to enjoy the much anticipated show.
TFGM and the AO Arena have partnered to highlight their commitment to bringing accessible entertainment to the people of Manchester.
Their location within Victoria Station means visitors from Manchester and further afield can easily get to the city to see their favourite performers without having to worry about how they are going to get home, or finding affordable and nearby parking.
The AO Arena is passionate about its home in the city of Manchester and is constantly finding ways to improve, most recently with the opening of new spaces including their brand new luxury restaurant The Mezz. They have also undertaken a back of house refurbishment ensuring guests feel comfortable in Manchester as a home away from home.