Deadly monster snails found crawling along pavement on busy London street

TWO deadly monster snails have been found crawling along a busy street in the middle of London.

The 8in creatures were dumped at a bus stop in a lettuce-filled cardboard box.

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Giant African land snails can carry potentially deadly parasites[/caption]

But the giant African land snails, which can carry potentially deadly parasites, escaped and were spotted roaming the pavement.

Jamie-Lee McEvoy, 20, who saw them near London Bridge railway station, said: “They were the size of my arms.

“I thought I was seeing things. Everyone was wondering where they’d come from. But no one knew what to do or wanted to touch them.”

The molluscs, which feed almost constantly, are among the world’s most damaging invasive species.

They pose a serious health risk to humans as they harbour rat lungworm which triggers deadly meningitis.

The London Bridge pair were collected by wildlife volunteer Beth Crivelli, who took them home in a damp towel.

She said: “They would have died crawling along the streets in this heat.

“They’re living with me in a proper sealed box until I can find someone to adopt them.”