Jack Middleton of Billinghay was on a family outing to Ostler's Plantation at Woodhall Spa on Friday when the poisonous snake attacked him.

Jack's grandmother, Sue Middleton, said Jack and his cousins had wandered off the path and were playing in the undergrowth when one of his younger cousins picked up an adder. It hissed and spat and she dropped the adder but it lunged out and bit young Jack's hand.

Mrs Middleton said Jack's hand quickly swelled and turned black.

An ambulance took Jack to Lincoln County Hospital where he was treated until being discharged on Saturday night.

Mrs Middleton said she would like to warn other children of the dangers of snakes.

Grandfather Harry Middleton urged there to be raised awareness of snakes in this country. He felt that rather than children being encouraged to hold and stroke them and believe they are friendly and harmless they should be warned that they can be dangerous and should not try to pick the creatures up. He said that people generally had a healthy fear of snakes and that should not be played down.

Jack has recovered from his ordeal and was due to return to school yesterday, Tuesday.

Mrs Middleton said: "He's as large as life again. He will have a story to tell at school."

Adders are a protected species and the Forestry Commission believes warning signs would put their habitat at risk and could attract people who may harm the snakes.

But Forestry Commission beat officer Wally Grice said signs, including a picture of an adder, will be put up at Ostler's next month to inform people the heathland habitat includes adders.

Mr Grice added: "Nobody has died of an adder bite in 20 years."

* Adders are Britain's only venomous reptile. They grow to about 50-65cm long and are usually a brown or buff colour with red and black markings and a zig-zag pattern along the body. Adders are not aggressive snakes, and will only attack if harassed or threatened.

Although an adder's venom poses little danger to a healthy adult human, the bite is very painful and requires urgent medical attention.

* Do you think children should be taught to be wary of snakes or to be less fearful of them? Email your views to andy.hubbert@jpress.co.uk