28 July 2012 Last updated at 12:45 ET

Adder bites walker trying to handle it near St Davids

The chances of being bitten by an adder are rare, say experts, although it is more common in Wales

A man has been bitten by an adder after trying to pick up the snake while walking in Pembrokeshire.

Milford Haven coastguards said the 39-year-old man, from Hereford, was walking near St Davids when he saw the snake.

A spokeswoman said the man made his way to Whitesands beach and alerted lifeguards.

A Welsh Ambulance Services spokesman confirmed a patient was taken to Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest.

More than one in 10 of all adder bites on mainland Britain in recent years happened in Wales, with the south west around Swansea a particular hotspot.

The National Poisons Information Service has reported that 23 people in Wales were bitten by the UK's only venomous snake between 2009-11.

There were 12 recorded in south west Wales, seven around Llandudno, three in Newport and one in Llandrindod Wells.

There were 196 cases across Wales, England and Scotland.

A bite can cause local pain, tenderness, swelling and bruising.