Rare crab rediscovered in Cornwall

Could this crab signify that marine life has recovered from an oil spill in 1967? Credit: Cornwall Wildlife Trust

A rare hermit crab was discovered in Falmouth last weekend - more than twenty years since it was last seen on our shores.

The colourful shellfish almost completely disappeared following a huge oil spill in 1967, but this new find indicates how marine life may has nearly made a full recovery.

The Torrey Canyon environmental disaster saw a super-tanker release 119,000 tonnes of crude oil on the south coast, affecting wildlife for decades.

Amateur photographer Adrian Rowlands made the discovery while taking part in a public Shoresearch Survey event run by Cornwall Wildlife Trust.

After alerting marine experts, he was told of the significance of his find.