A trap to tackle the Chinese mitten crab invasion have been installed

Chinese mitten crabs are an invasive species in the UK

The first ever trap to catch Chinese mitten crabs has been installed in the UK.

The crustaceans, which can grow bigger than a dinner plate, are classed as an invasive species.

This means they're able to take over an area or environment where they're not naturally found and cause damage to it.

Chinese mitten crabs are a concern as they can have a negative impact on riverbanks and biodiversity in the UK.

The trap has been installed in a village in Lincolnshire as part of a joint project between Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, the Welland and Deepings Internal Drainage Board and the Natural History Museum.

It aims to prevent the crabs moving to places where they can breed according to Dr Paul Clark from the Natural History Museum.

The installation of the trap is an attempt to control the crab population.

The crabs can grow bigger than a dinner plate

The Chinese mitten crab originates in South East Asia and was first spotted in the UK in 1935 in the River Thames, the population has increased rapidly since then.

Dr Clark, who is a researcher at the department of life sciences at the museum, has been studying the creatures for more than 40 years.

He said the crabs, which are known for their furry claws, were "eating us out of house and home".

"Our biodiversity is being depleted because of them," he told BBC Radio Lincolnshire.

The Natural History Museum is asking people to report sightings to help prevent the movement of crab eggs.

More traps may be installed in the area if the project is successful.