LANDowner and water supplier United Utilities has issued a warning about adders after a man was injured by a bite in Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire.

The company said: “It’s rare you’ll come into contact with adders, and it’s unusual for them to attack.

“This incident was not near any of our recreation sites but it is timely to ask visitors to be watchful.”

The adder is Britain's only venomous snake but its bite is rarely life-threatening.

About 100 adder bites are reported in the UK each year, most between February and October.