A man who had allegedly had too much to drink tried to befriend a wild cobra in northern India on January 1st and was bitten by the reptile.

Prakash Barwa was filmed sitting in a field in the Dousa district of Rajasthan trying to talk to the venomous snake.

To the horror of onlookers who had gathered to watch the strange behaviour, Barwa then picked up the animal and was bitten.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was treated for his injuries.