An unexpected visitor greeted staff at a logistics company when they unloaded a pallet.

The employees were surprised to discover a frozen locust among the cargo – and were shocked when it began hopping about after thawing out.

Staff at the company, which did not want to be identified, contacted Chris Mullins of Beastwatch UK – which deals with unexpected creatures – for help.

Mr Mullins, of Loughborough, said: "They had thawed it out and were going to pin it on a board but then it started hopping around.

"I've fetched it. It's alive and in a proper container.

"We think it has come from Turkey and is a migratory locust. You don't see many of them over here.

"I'm not an expert on locusts but I've been investigating.

"I don't know what I'm going to do with it – I might keep it as a pet."