Police in Nottingham have launched an investigation into the circumstances in which a man is believed to have died following a bite from one of the reptiles he bred behind his home in the city's Eastwood area.

Apparently he'd been due to open his 'King Cobra Sanctuary' to the public this weekend.

At first, it was thought the man had suffered a massive heart attack ... but, upon subsequent medical examination, it was discovered he'd succumbed to the effects of poisonous snake venom after being pronounced dead at the scene.