Stunned police carrying out a dawn drugs raid found lizards, turtles, rats, beetles and an 8ft boa constrictor crammed into a house.

After crashing through the doors of the property, officers stepped through swarms of black beetles before removing "hundreds" of animals as they searched for drugs in the three-bed semi-detached former council house in Oldham, Greater Manchester.

Cages and tanks also included Macaw parrots, four snakes, 14 Gecko lizards, snapping turtles, chickens, rats, mice, lizards and hundreds of beetles and other insects.

Sgt Rob Howarth, from Greater Manchester Police said it was like raiding a zoo.

Sgt Howarth said: "The boa constrictor was as thick as a rolled up carpet.

"There were thousands of insects, they were the worst. All the insects were running around, large black beetles, big horrible things with antennas, two to three inches long.

"The noise was horrendous, swarms of them."

Drugs, jewellery, and a machete were also found at the properties on Dowry Street, Fitton Hill, on Tuesday.

Sgt Howarth added: "We are keen to trace the owners of the jewellery and would appeal to anyone who has information to call us."