SEARCH FOR GIGANTIC SNAKE CALLED OFF

FREEMAN'S BAY, N.Z. -- Authorities launched a search for a gigantic python after finding a freshly shed snakeskin - then found it had come from a coat lining.

An eight-strong snake-hunting team had scoured the suburbs of Freeman's Bay in Auckland, New Zealand, and a snake hotline was set up to report sightings of the python.

But an embarrassed university lecturer has now admitted the snakeskin was his - and he had lost it on the way to a costume party.

Frightened Freeman's Bay residents had been checking under their beds at night for fear that the creature was hiding out in their homes.

But when the lecturer saw a newspaper report about the discovery of the skin, he called authorities to tell them they could call off their search.

Andrew says he believes the snakeskin blew out of his car window as he drove to the party. "I am hugely embarrassed," he said.

New Zealand's snake experts were also left with red faces after declaring the skin was freshly shed when it was discovered by schoolchildren, the New Zealand Herald reports.