Surbiton has bid farewell to a 13ft python that had worked its way into town children’s hearts.

Norris, a three-and-a-half-year-old Burmese python, became a local attraction after its owner left it with Surrey Aquatics and Reptiles in December, so he could travel around the world for a year.

As soon as schoolchildren found out about the giant reptile, they flocked to the shop, with many making daily visits.

But despite the local interest, Norris left on February 25.

James Wingfield, 13, begged mother Melanie to buy it, but settled for a corn snake called Erol.

She said: “My son is fanatical about creatures and was in there on a daily basis. I think he thought I’d buy him. Everybody loved him.”

Manager Vicky Bingham said the shop had seen a rise in snake sales since Norris arrived and said he has been very good for the St Mark’s Hill business.

Norris was often out of his cage, because of his size, and the fact he needs handling every day so he does not become vicious.

E-marketing manager Emily Yates-Brown said: “He’s so outgoing. We’ll really miss him. He always wants to come out and explore. When people crowd around he can get a bit wary but as soon as he’s on the floor and stretched out, he realises he’s much bigger than everyone else and is like ‘I’m the man’.”

It has not all been smooth sailing, with Norris escaping from his cage on numerous occasions. The postman got a particular shock, when Norris was lurking near the letterbox.

Store owner Howard Freeman said: “He has a wander sometimes, it causes carnage. He doesn’t have any perception of value so he charges through and knocks everything. He’s a great character.”

Norris was for sale for £250 but the shop sold him for £50 to ensure he went to the best home possible He went to his new home on Thursday afternoon and has been renamed Houdini, after his in shop escapades.

The animal lover, who did not want to be identified, said: “He seems to have settled in, I just have to keep him away from the cat. He smelt his way around when he got here and then he curled up for a sleep on the duvet.”