A PYTHON let loose on a bus would usually cause panic, but bus driver Mo Tawab, from Glasgow's South Side, allowed a six-year-old Royal Python aboard his vehicle to entertain youngsters heading to M&D's theme park.

The 27-year-old was joined by pupils from Castle- milk's Jeely Piece Club Nursery as they took turns to hold Wall-e the snake, from the Amazonia section at the South Lanarkshire tourist attraction.

The First Bus driver had no idea he would come face to face with the non-venomous reptile when he turned up for a shift last week.

"I am a little wary of snakes," said Mo, who has been a driver for the bus company for nine years.

"But given the kids were happily handing Wall-e, there was no way I was going to pass up the opportunity of introducing him to my driver's cab."

The stunt was held to promote the launch of a daily bus service to the theme park, next to Strathclyde Country Park.

First Glasgow is running a daily service, the X7 Express, connecting Buchanan Bus Station with M&D's , until April 14.

Bosses are hoping families will visit the theme park, which also has almost 30 rides, a glow-in-the-dark indoor bowling facility and a massive soft play area, as part of their Easter break plans.

And visitors travelling with the service will be treated to a £4 discount for an unlimited ride wristband and they will be able to play adventure golf for just £1.

Mo said he enjoyed handling the snake, adding: "The photoshoot was good fun – I don't usually have a snake on my steering wheel – but meeting Wall-e was the highlight of my week."

Travellers to the theme park can use the express bus service from stance 17 at Buchanan Bus Station which takes around 20 minutes to reach M&Ds.

rachel.loxton@ eveningtimes.co.uk