A large lobster-like crustacean has been spotted lurking in Oldham waters - and some have been calling for its execution out of fear it could be an invasive species.

The "huge" crustacean was spotted in the waterways at Daisy Nook Country Park in Failsworth by visitors on Saturday (September 30).

Images of the creature, which is suspected to be a crayfish, shows it has large pincers and a dark hardened shell-like body, indicating it could be an invasive "killer" species.

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to The Oldham Times’ morning and evening newsletters as well as our breaking news alerts 

Residents on social media were unsure what to make of the crustacean as some thought it could be a lobster and others joked it had "escaped" from the nearby Italian restaurant, Sul Lago.

A resident in disbelief asked: "Was this actually in Daisy Nook in Oldham?" while another said: "What next at Daisy Nook? Alligators?"

A local fishmonger also said it was "madness" to see one as he didn't know such animals lived in the country.

But most were quick to comment on the size of the so-called "vicious monster", describing it as "about the size of an adult hand".

"That thing could rip your leg off", one comment read while another said it looked like a "creature from the black lagoon" that would need a "size ten boot" to kill it.

"It would cost a fortune at top-notch restaurants", another pointed out.

However, residents were also alarmed that the crayfish was left to roam free with many making calls to destroy what they suspect to be an American signal crayfish.

The Canal and River Trust describes signal crayfish as "aggressive beasts" that breed faster than the "more docile" native species, damaging banks, plants and small animals within the watercourse.

The Inland Waterways Association also says the signal is "lobster-like in appearance", reaching a size of 16 to 18cm, and a "voracious predator" that feeds on fish, frogs, invertebrates, plants and its own species.

The signal first came to British waters around the 1970s to be consumed as seafood, but soon dominated the waters and eliminated much of the native white-clawed cray with its fungal disease, called 'crayfish plague'.

Now at risk of global extinction, the British crayfish is now a protected species.

One comment read: "They (American signal crayfish) have invaded thousands of waterways and caused carnage. Kill on sight. Protect British wildlife."

Another agreed: "It's an American signal cray - they destroy all in their path.

"It is the law to remove the and destroy them, or get a clay trap, put mackerel in it and catch them.

"They taste great after two minutes boiled in slightly salted water."

But others pointed out that a licence and tags for nets are needed to legally capture crayfish while some stressed removing a large signal cray, which would eat the smaller ones, would only make the problem worse.

Besides, a concerned resident said it can be "very difficult" to distinguish between a native and invasive species and said "nobody should be killing any crayfish".

When contacted by The Oldham Times, the Environment Agency said it is examining the photograph to determine the type of crayfish.

But a spokesperson also said anyone who sees a crayfish, whether dead or alive, should leave it where it is and report it "immediately" to the Environment Agency by calling 0800 80 70 60.

The spokesperson added: “If possible, take close-up photos of the crayfish to help identify the species.

"It is illegal to handle or remove crayfish from the water without the correct licences."

A spokesperson for the RSPCA also confirmed crayfish sightings are not something that should be reported to the organisation, "unless it's an animal welfare issue". 

If you have a story, I cover all things Oldham from food reviews and local business news to music and events, pubs, education, crime, property, health, community concerns and much more. Please email me at Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge with your news.