Poisonous caterpillars infest Spurn Point

15/07/2007 00:00:00 Spurn Point life boat crews are under siege from the Brown Tailed Moth caterpillars, Euproctis chrysorrhoea. On a visit last weekend Dick and Clare from Paws-a-While witnessed thousands of them. The crews stationed there are suffering from rashes around their arms neck and legs, headaches vomiting and eye problems. Normally found on the south coast (An Isle of White beach was closed in 1997) this is the first time the species has been found in this area.

Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on where you stand, nothing can be done to alleviate the problem as Spurn Point is a SSSI.

The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, which owns Spurn Point have put up posters to warn visitors.

Thank you to reader Dick Roberts of Paws-a-While for this news, and his photos.