HOUDINI the snake is doing his namesake proud - by escaping from his tank every chance he gets.

The foot-long corn snake first escaped on his second day at home on Lockerbie Close, Cinnamon Brow, in December, and was only found last month, having grown by four inches.

Then last Monday, July 2, he escaped again, only to be found the following day.

"He definitely lives up to his name," said owner Jamie Hankinson.

Jamie, aged 23, has kept snakes since he was 10.

His first snake was also an escape artist and disappeared down the back seat of his mum's car seat never to be seen again.

Jamie, who bought the snake for his girlfriend, Dawn, also has a California King snake and says that had the pair met while Houdini was out, Houdini would have been eaten.

He thinks Houdini must have survived on spiders and insects.

"They can go for months without food, but for Houdini to grow he must have been eating," Jamie said.