Deadly hornets, responsible for killing six people in France, could be on route to the UK.
Asian hornets, which can grow up to two inches long, are responsible for the deaths of six people in France who all suffered anaphylactic shocks after being attacked by the bugs' 6mm stinger.
An Asian Hornet
Government officials now claim the insects, which arrived in France from China in 2004, could be winging their way to the UK - hitting Kent as soon as this summer.
A report published by the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) said that contingency plans were being drawn up to deal with the arrival of the killer stingers.
The report states: "The Non-native Species Secretariat was helping the Environment Agency and Natural England to develop Rapid Response Plans for species, as well as contingency plans for the arrival of the Asian Hornet.
"Some invasive species have direct human health effects. Asian Hornet, which might soon arrive here, has killed six people in France."
The potential invasion has also caused a buzz among bee keepers who have been warned by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to keep an eye out for the menace which preys on honey bees.
A 'giant' hornet found in the UK in 2007
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A spokesman for DEFRA said: "It’s not great news for bees because they are not a friend to the humble honey bee, and that’s why we don’t want them here."
The National Bee Unit (NBU) claims that an invasion is 'very likely' and hornets will spread 'rapidly' once they have entered the UK.
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