Sussex-bound timber shipment reveals huge rare beetle

The beetle, nicknamed Percy, has been given a new home at the zoo

A rare beetle thought to be extinct in the UK has found its way to East Sussex from the Baltics - in a shipment of timber.

Sean Carter found the Giant Capricorn Beetle as he unpacked the delivery at a building supply firm in Hassocks.

He photographed the creature, trapped it in a container and then phoned experts at Drusillas Park zoo.

He said he could hardly believe his eyes when he saw the 1.9in (5cm) beetle with antennae nearly twice that length.

"The first thing I did was grab my phone and take a picture. I wasn't sure if it would fly away and I wanted to make sure I had a photo to show people if it did."

He then trapped the beetle in a see-through plastic container and made air holes in the top.

Angela Hale, from Drusillas Park, said the insect was among Europe's largest long-horned beetles.

She said this one was fully grown and almost certainly male.

The oak-loving creatures pose no threat to humans but can use their powerful jaws to nip in defence.

The beetle, nicknamed Percy, has now been given a home at Drusilla's and will be on show at the zoo's bug weekend later this month.