The Christmas lights switch on at Lowther Castle has been delayed after a member of the team was bitten by a snake.

For 62-year-old Kevin Halsall, a key member of the maintenance team at Lowther Castle, it was an ordinary working day.

First, he had to rebuild a pair of 17th century gateposts; then he had to put up Christmas lights around the profile of the castle in time for their switch-on.

At 8am on Thursday morning, Kevin, along with his colleague Burger, embarked on job number one, carefully beginning to reconstruct the pillars.

All was going well until Kevin dropped a chisel and when he reached down into the grass to gather it up, he felt something jab his wrist.

“At first, I thought it was a nettle-sting. I pulled my hand out of the grass, got back to the job and didn’t think much more about it,” said Kevin.

News and Star: Kevin Halsall, 62 at Lowther Castle Kevin Halsall, 62 at Lowther Castle (Image: Lowther Castle)

But the next morning, when Kevin and Burger should have been putting up the Christmas lights, Kevin realised that his wrist was three times its normal size - and painful. Not only that but he was sporting a small injury that seemed to have a strange fang-like shape.

“We went to A&E,” said Kevin, “and the doctor said, ‘Oh yes, I’ve seen this a few times before, you’ve been bitten by a snake.’”

News and Star: The adder is Britain's only venomous snake The adder is Britain's only venomous snake (Image: Unsplash)Kevin was stunned alongside his wife Sharon, his daughter Leanne, his son Jamie, above all his grandson Parker.

Happily, a course of antibiotics, some antihistamine, an expert dressing and the quick wits of the Penrith A&E team saw to it that Kevin’s arm made a full and speedy recovery.

READ MORE: Power lines placed underground across Cumbria in £7 million scheme

“Sadly,” said Kevin, “we just could not finish the job in time. I had to hold my arm in the air for three days and we missed our switching on deadline.

“I am delighted to say however that since my arm is fully mended now, we have been able to get back to work. The pillars are both fully repaired, and the lights are almost up on the castle walls.”

The official lights switch-on will now take place on Wednesday, November 29 at 4.45pm.