Giant snails have been causing a stir for visitors to a council office in Dovercourt.

Giant snails - Tendring Council employees Bob Howard and Linda Beck with some of the unusual visitors. Picture: TERRY WEEDEN (38568-15)

Staff at Tendring Council's premises, in Waddesdon Road, were staggered by the size of several molluscs they saw among the plants outside.

About six large brown-shelled snails appeared on Friday morning and left people scratching their heads as to their origin.

Bob Howard, of Tendring Council, said: "I have never seen such big snails before they're about five times bigger than normal snails. We spotted them among the shrubs in the flower beds as we were on our way into the office."

Mr Howard said it was possible the snails were Giant Land snails, which originated in Africa.

Published Wednesday, October 6, 2004

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