Supermarket workers were confronted with a slippery customer when they found a gecko lizard hiding in a consignment of fruit.

The reptile turned up at the Jumbo supermarket in Veghel, Noord-Brabant, last weekend. Staff in the warehouse were able to trap it in a plastic food container and call the local animal ambulance service, who took it away.

The ambulance team posted a message on its Facebook page saying the lizard was safe and well and enjoying its new home at De Oliemeulen zoo in Tilburg, which specialises in reptiles and small mammals.

Two other geckos have been rescued from homes in Noord-Brabant in the last seven days, one in Ravenstein and one in Hedel.

The ambulance service said they had probably climbed into holidaymakers’ luggage and advised people to check their bags thoroughly when packing to go home.