A GROUP of giant crabs were putting their claws up yesterday after a long journey from Japan to their new home in a sea life centre.

Thirteen giant spider crabs arrived at the Scarborough marine sanctuary in the early hours of yesterday.

The crabs are quite young - but still proved more than a handful for Lindsay Crawford, senior acquarist at the North Yorkshire centre.

The crabs spent the day getting used to the 60,000 litre tank that has been specially adapted to their habitat.

The crabs are the largest crustaceans in the world and can grow up to three metres long, although the ones brought over from Japan are only one-and-a-half metres at the moment. They can live for between 80 and 100 years.

David Groves, senior general manager of the centre, said: "Visitors have been fascinated by them, especially the young kids.

"Eventually we hope to bring in a couple more and breed them."