A MOTHER is warning people to be vigilant after her son is thought to have been bitten by an adder while walking along a local cycle path.

Jordan Quigley, 12 and his mum Sally Day were walking along the cycle path from Llanfoist to Brynmawr when the teenager was bitten.

Sally said, "Jordan had a ball which went off the embankment. We were both looking in the undergrowth and something bit him.

"As he turned, he felt something bite his leg and hand. As he looked down he said he could see the adder near his leg. We were both shocked, we couldn't believe it. I had to take him to Nevill Hall Hospital because his hands had swollen very badly.

"In Nevill Hall they didn't want to believe it was an adder but I just want to warn people to be careful and also not to disturb the wildlife while out walking."

Jordan, a pupil at King Henry VIII Comprehensive School said, "It felt like a bad wasp sting. It was a shock but I'm OK now."

Dennis Jackson, people and wildlife manager from the Gwent Wildlife Trust said that adders are not that common and are very particular to a certain habitat.

"Like most British reptiles they shy away from man. It's unusual and I think unlikely that Jordan was bitten by an adder.

"Most snakes are very sensitive to vibrations and they feel them long before they are approached.

"I would not care to say if it was an adder or not. The adder is a poisonous snake but the venom is not toxic.

"It's important to remember that there's no reason for anyone to panic about adders.

"I can't remember the last time in Britain anyone was harmed," said Mr Jackson.

•If anyone wants to find out more they can contact us on 01600 740600 or visit http://www.gwentwildlife.org.&quot">www.gwentwildlife.org."