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Worker finds five foot snake in van
Image corn snake
A red corn snake, similar to the one found in the hire van.
Hired van contains a large surprise

A 5ft long snake has caused a stir after slithering into a hired van. The North American red corn snake was found by a stunned worker who had hired the van to move some mattresses.

Steve Potter, 40, who works at bedding firm J Rosenthal in Bury, told the Telegraph he was in "complete and utter disbelief" when he opened the van to find the reptile.

It is believed the snake may have been left behind by somebody who had previously hired the van to move house.

Bury Van Hire called in reptile expert Joe McQuade, also known as Crocodile Joe, to rescue the animal.

Joe, 45, told the Telegraph: "He's gorgeous. Whoever owns him will be really missing him I imagine. These animals are great escape-artists and owners need to be responsible.

"They often get free and it's only a matter of time before a venomous snake gets out and something bad happens."

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FIVP launches CMA remedies survey

News Story 1
 FIVP has shared a survey, inviting those working in independent practice to share their views on the CMA's proposed remedies.

The Impact Assessment will help inform the group's response to the CMA, as it prepares to submit further evidence to the Inquiry Group. FIVP will also be attending a hearing in November.

Data will be anonymised and used solely for FIVP's response to the CMA. The survey will close on Friday, 31 October 2025. 

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News Shorts
CMA to host webinar exploring provisional decisions

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is to host a webinar for veterinary professionals to explain the details of its provisional decisions, released on 15 October 2025.

The webinar will take place on Wednesday, 29 October 2025 from 1.00pm to 2.00pm.

Officials will discuss the changes which those in practice may need to make if the provisional remedies go ahead. They will also share what happens next with the investigation.

The CMA will be answering questions from the main parties of the investigation, as well as other questions submitted ahead of the webinar.

Attendees can register here before Wednesday, 29 October at 11am. Questions must be submitted before 10am on 27 October.

A recording of the webinar will be accessible after the event.