Last updated at 15:47, Monday, 02 July 2012

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, along comes the killer shrimp.

Eden Rivers Trust is trying to control invasive species in the Eden Valley.

The trust has launched a poster and leaflet campaign highlighting “Eden’s Most Unwanted” animals and plants from other countries.

After being imported for ornamental or agricultural use, these can spread rapidly without their natural controls of disease and predators, wiping out local river wildlife.

Killer shrimp are a prime example. They haven’t yet arrived on the Eden and conservationists and anglers want to keep them at bay.

The name ‘killer shrimp’ sounds like a throwback to the days before the names of things were changed to improve their image.

Alsatian dogs became German shepherds.

Windscale became Sellafield.

Now the Surrey town of Staines has become Staines-upon-Thames in an attempt to shake off its association with Ali G.

It cannot be long before the killer shrimp joins this club.

Expect Eden Rivers Trust’s next campaign to warn against the danger of the sometimes a bit grumpy but really they just need a cuddle shrimp.

First published at 11:24, Monday, 02 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk