WHO knows what hidden menaces lurk in the murky depths of our local canal?

Certainly, reader R. Vaughton was greatly startled when toddling along the St Helens towpath, idly gazing along that watery stretch.

Suddenly, there was a ripple on the surface. "On closer observation this turned out to be a large orange-headed terrapin, bigger than a dinner-plate," reports R.V.

He mentioned this bizarre find to a passer-by who didn't turn a hair at the news. "He told me that it had been in the canal for years.

"I have lived in St Helens all my life but have never heard of this," adds R.V. who asks me not to mention the exact location of this exotic reptile's habitat. "This is just in case our local idiots decide to pay it a visit with deadly intentions."

Before it does come to possible harm, our terrapin-spotter suggests that the creature ought to be rescued and put in a zoo or aquarium. "It seems cruel to leave it in such a terrible place!"

WELL, RV, just so long as they don't ask me to fish it out! I understand, from our regular Pets Corner correspondent, Wally Ashcroft, that these reptiles, particularly over-sized specimens, are not well known for their good humour and are capable of a finger-splitting bite.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.