A MAN is seriously ill in hospital after being bitten by a snake three times in North Yorkshire today.

The 44-year old was in Dalby Forest when he was bitten by an adder at about 2.50pm.

He was treated on the scene by a rapid response paramedic and a paramedic from the South East Coast Ambulance Service who happened to be in the forest on holiday.

The Great North Air Ambulance trauma team stabilised the man then flew him to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, taking 13 minutes.

The patient, who is from Doncaster,  is in a serious but stable condition.

A spokesman for the Air Ambulance said: "The trauma team would like to thank the staff who assisted them while they were there."