A COUPLE was "surprised" to find an "invasive species" living in their garden. 

Jim and Christine Ecclestone of Jackson Crescent, Stourport, discovered an unusual-looking flatworm in their garden last month.

Unsure about what species it was, they took to Facebook to ask a wildlife group what the species was.

Now, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust have confirmed that it's a non-native Australian flatworm, Australoplana sanguinea.

The majority of the non-native flatworm species prey on earthworms, slugs, snails and other creatures that live in the soil.

Worcester News: Australian flatwormAustralian flatworm (Image: Christine Ecclestone)

A spokesperson for Worcestershire Wildlife Trust said: "It is a non-native species that predates our native earthworms but is believed to be quite widespread across the UK, having been first spotted in 1980 and likely to have been introduced via imported plants.

"Killing individual non-native flatworms is unlikely to have an impact on their spread so it’s important not to move soil from areas with known populations to areas where there are none recorded.

"When buying new plants, gardeners should always buy ones that are grown in peat-free compost in the UK or try swapping plants and seeds with neighbours, friends and families.

"Before putting new plants into the ground, check around the root ball and inside pots to make sure you’re not adding flatworms into your garden".

"It’s important to help our native wildlife remain abundant and resilient enough to cope with non-native species.

"Our native earthworms recycle dead organic matter (leaves, decaying vegetation etc) into nutrients in the soil and their burrowing helps to increase the availability of these nutrients to plants as well as improving water infiltration and soil aeration.

"Growing ground-cover plants and minimising digging of flower beds can help earthworms to thrive.

"If anyone finds wildlife that they don’t recognise, our Wildlife Sightings team are keen to help so please take a photo and upload it via a short form on the Trust’s website www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/wildlife-sightings".