A MAN who was bitten nine times by a deadly brown snake says it was no mistake - he had been trying to kill himself.

The incident with the King Brown happened 12 years ago. But the story has been retold thousands of times in newspapers across the globe.

It has just resurfaced in Australia - only to be dismissed as an urban myth by radio commentators. But the extraordinary tale is true - and has an amazing new twist.

For the first time, Darwin-born Gordon Lyons, 55, has revealed the full story of that near-fatal day to the Northern Territory News.

He said his battle with one of the world's deadliest snakes was no drunken mishap - he was trying to kill himself.

"I had lost my wife and was fighting for custody of my kids," he said. "I decided I didn't want to be here. I put the snake on me. I caught it and let it bite me."

Mr Lyons was driving along Mandorah Rd on the Cox Peninsula 12 years ago with a friend when he saw the snake. "We stopped and I caught it," he said.

After a few minutes, Mr Lyons made a spur-of-the-moment decision - to let the King Brown kill him.

"I took it out of the bag, shook it to stir it up and it bit me, again and again," he said. "My mate was a big, burly bloke but he was horrified. He was crying."

Lyons, who had an arm amputated and almost died on the operating table after his heart stopped, said he no longer felt suicidal. "I'm all right now and wouldn't do it again." 

AN ANIMAL-LOVING couple want to run a pet hotel from their back garden.

Paul and Mechaela Colley already have 30 birds, two rabbits, two dogs, five guinea pigs and a pondful of goldfish and Koi carp as their pets.

But the couple now want to take in other people's small animals, including reptiles, when their owners go on holiday.

The Colleys, of Parkhead Crescent, Weston Coyney, believe they have found a gap in the market after struggling to find good temporary accommodation for their own menagerie during trips away.

Driving instructor Mechaela, aged 44, said: "I am passionate about animals, we have always had pets, but it's hard to find places that will take in your animals if you don't have friends and family to do it, or if they need some specialist care while you are away.

"I have done some research and believe there's nothing like this out there, so I'm really hoping it takes off and I can do it full time."

The couple plan to invest £5,000 turning their garage into a haven for tropical reptiles with specialist tanks, and building up to 14 luxury hutches for rabbits and guinea pigs in their garden.

They plan to operate a pick-up and drop-off service for the animals and prices will range from about £15 to £20 a week for a rabbit, or £1.50 a day for a mouse.

Portmeirion production manager Paul, aged 45, said: "We have had such trouble getting care for our animals while we are away.

"So we thought, we have a bit of room at the back so why not build some cages and turn the garage into a vivarium?

"We have years of experience with all kinds of animals and the dedication and passion to enable people to leave their pets here with peace of mind they will be well looked after.

"We have spoken to our neighbours and they seem fine with it. We will not be taking in dogs or cats, so there will be no noise, and there won't be any smell.

"We don't know what sort of demand there will be but I would have thought there will be quite a lot. During a credit crunch you have to take these sorts of opportunities and we hope it will be a good third income.

"We will put our savings into it and do it right and just hope it takes off."

The Colleys have submitted their planning application to Stoke-on-Trent City Council. The application should be determined by early March 2009.