AN MP has backed moves to toughen up rules for keeping wild animals after two dangerous snakes were found on a local golf course.

The proposals would mean that keepers of creatures such as the Argentine Black snake, the Peruvian racer, the Middle Eastern thin tailed scorpion and the dingo will join those who have to get licences from their local council.

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said he was fully behind the new provision, which would also make the owners of wild animals pay for their recapture if they escaped, rather than the current system where the council tax payer foots the bill.

And he pointed at the capture of a boa constrictor and rat snakes on Baxenden Golf Club last summer as a reason for the review.

The moves are part of a review of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 which aims to ensure that people who have such beasts can look after them properly.

Labour's Mr Pope said: "This is a sensible review of the legislation. People have a right to keep exotic animals but must be responsible for them. It is certainly right that if they escape, the owners not the council should pay for their recapture."

Ribble Valley Tory MP Mr Evans said: "It seems to me that some civil servant has too much time on their hands.

"They should leave the legislation as it is. Making owners pay if their animal escapes is likely to drive the keeping of such animals underground."