Harrow residents were given a scare after a post of an ‘escaped anaconda’ went viral on social media.

The since-removed post was shared on the popular Facebook group, #FixIt Harrow, alerting residents to the possibility of an escaped anaconda.

It was claimed the snake had escaped from Garlands Lane, Harrow, off Peterborough Road and that it was last seen in Harrow School Golf Club.

The fictitious serpent was described as 10ft long and called Tevez.

People were warned that it was “very hungry” and to keep cats and small dogs in the area safe.

However, both Harrow Council and the RSPCA said they were unaware of reports of an anaconda on the loose in the streets of Harrow.

A developer won permission to build tower blocks up to 24 storeys high at the site of a car dealership.

Parkside Investments was given the green light to build 470 new homes at the Crown Honda showroom in Hyde Estate Road, Colindale, at a meeting of the strategic planning committee.

The scheme, known as The Rockery, involves knocking down the existing units and building three blocks of flats 20, 23 and 24 storeys high, with 35 per cent of the homes classed as affordable.

A sixth form student has been recognised after winning a highly-acclaimed scholarship for her engineering project.

Lydia Reid, who studies at Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls in Elstree, has won an Arkwright Engineering Scholarship for her technology, design and innovation entry.