'Sleepless slugs' on rise, say experts

Last year's wet summer, followed by one of the warmest winters on record, has helped to create a generation of sleepless slugs, wildlife experts have warned.

The weather has not been sufficiently cold enough in recent months to send the creatures into hibernation.

Conservation charity BugLife has predicted Britons will start to a see a slug population explosion take effect.

The charity said the gastropods could lay up to 200 eggs per cubic metre.

BBC's environment correspondent Claire Marshall said that slugs stay active when temperatures remain above 5C.

Our correspondent added: "So, with little snow and frost, many never went in to hibernation, and they have been making the most of it - eating and breeding all through the winter months."

She said an average British garden could be harbouring as many as 20,000 slugs, considered by many gardeners as pests.

December 2015 was the warmest since records began in 1910, with temperatures around 7.9C (46F), making it feel more like April or May - for slugs as well as people.