A FIVE-FOOT long lizard has been saved from almost certain death near a Peeblesshire primary school.

Council worker Steve O'Hara discovered the fully-grown iguana during a lunch-break in a roadside layby next to the A702.

And only his quick thinking prevented the cold-blooded creature perishing.

Steve told us: "I was driving on the A702 between Romanno Bridge and Blyth Bridge when I pulled into a layby to have my lunch.

"As I sat in my van eating my sandwiches I happened to focus on an object on top of the dry stane dyke, some six to eight feet from me, and I could see it was a very large lizard.

"I approached it, gave it a gentle prod and found that it was still alive so I quickly emptied a large box from my van and put the iguana into it and put it into the front seat of the van with the heating on full blast."

Steve contacted the Scottish SPCA and agreed to take the lizard to the nearby Broughton primary School for collection.

After a drive in the heated van and the warmth of the classroom the iguana began to liven up.

Steve added: "By the time the Scottish SPCA arrived the lizard was getting a bit lively and it was a struggle to hold it - it certainly had its strength back.

"When I first picked it up it was cold to the touch and quite rigid.

"I don't think it would have survived much longer in the cold winds and storms we had this week.

"It had obviously been abandoned and it is a particularly heartless way to treat a cold blooded animal as it would not survive long in our autumn temperatures."

The rescued iguana, who has been named Iggy by staff at the Scottish SPCA centre in Lanarkshire, is recovering well from his ordeal in the Peeblesshire countryside.

Animal rescue officer Dawn-Vale Lowdon explained: “Despite having a few bumps, he was alright once he had been warmed up.

“He’s now being cared for at our centre in Lanarkshire where he has been named Iggy.

"If no-one comes forward for him we’ll keep him in our care until we can find him a suitable forever home."

If anyone has any concerns about the welfare of animals they can contact the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.