Ananova:

Harrods hired a live Egyptian cobra snake to guard a pair of £60,000 jewel-encrusted designer sandals.

The highly aggressive and deadly snake, called Cedric, was hired to guard a pair of Rene Caovilla sandals encrusted with rubies, sapphires and diamonds.

Security experts were divided on how effective the cobra would be as a deterrent to thieves - but it made an ideal photo opportunity for the flagship store in London's Knightsbridge.

A spokeswoman for Harrods admitted that the cobra had been hired strictly for the launch of the shoe collection.

"The snake has now been returned to its owner," she said.