Giant red king crabs from Russia which can grow to 6ft are invading Britain

GIANT red king crabs from Russia are invading Britain — spreading fear and joy among fishermen.

The species, which can grow close to 6ft across and weigh up to 28lb, have been showing up off the Yorkshire coast.

Fishermen are thrilled as the sweet-fleshed goliaths are popular with chefs — but fear the monsters may munch all the scallops and see off brown crabs.

One said: “I’m really excited, but worried about our native seafood.”

The species, whose hard upper shell can measure 11in across, are native to North America.

Scientists introduced them to Russia in the 1960s and they thrived in the Arctic Ocean.

Their population exploded and fishermen got rich.

Soon, the titans travelled to ­Norway where they sparked another fishing boom.

Now they are in UK waters where, aside from the odd one fished up in recent years, they have never been seen in significant numbers.

However, fish supplier Shaun ­Henderson said one of his fishermen this week pulled up 40st of king crabs off Bridlington, East Yorks.

Shaun, who sells to more than 80 restaurants, said: “My family has been fishing for two generations but none of them has ever caught a king crab.

"I’m excited about it all but they do seem like quite an invasive species, so I feel wary.

“They seem to be eating up the scallops at the bottom and could out-compete brown crabs. I’m a bit worried about our native seafood.”

He added: “The king crabs destroyed quite a lot of the other fishing in Norway but obviously made a lot of people a lot of money.

"Fishermen were happy to be catching more expensive fish.”

Will Murray, head chef at Fallow restaurant in St James’s Market, central London, has bought some of the crabs.

He said: “We’re excited, but a bit terrified, as they are invaders and could kill our brown crabs.

“This could be the next grey squirrel but at least they’re easy to cook and enjoyable to eat.

"This is some of the best seafood in the world, a real premium ingredient.”