(AFP) An 11-year-old boy used by a medicine man in a street show to prove the power of his anti-snake 'charm' will have to have a finger amputated after a cobra bit him, it was reported today.

A happy family outing for a meal turned into a nightmare when Mohamad Zaki Mat Ghani was enlisted in the show on a street in Kota Baru, the Sun newspaper reported.

Grandfather Peli Deris said that after noticing that the boy was missing, they found him in the centre of a big crowd.

"I was shocked to find the medicine seller holding Mohamad Zaki's hand and waving it in front of a snake.

"It seemed that the medicine seller had put a 'charm' on Zaki which was supposed to protect him. Before I could do anything, the snake had bitten my grandson's right hand and he was screaming in pain," said Peli.

The boy was rushed to hospital and is in a stable condition but his finger will have to be amputated, the daily added.

Police are searching for the medicine seller.