Fruit crate's deadly stowaway

Marilyn is being kept in a cage made of armoured glass

One of the most deadly scorpions in the world has been found among some fruit at a greengrocers in Coventry.

Shop owner Satt Billku discovered the poisonous Fat Tail Scorpion as he was unpacking a crate of fruit from Pakistan at his store in the city's Foleshill Road.

The scorpion has been rehoused at the Stratford Butterfly Farm and is so dangerous it has been placed in a special cage made of armoured glass wired directly to the emergency services.

Double padlocks have also been fitted for added protection.

'Strong venom'

Tim Jenkins, marketing manager of the Butterfly Farm, said Mr Billku had a lucky escape.

He told BBC News Online: "The poison from this particular species was tested on mice and it was found to have the strongest venom of any species.

"It could certainly kill young children or elderly people. Even the most healthy of adults would floored by a sting from this scorpion."

Nicknamed Marilyn, after the rocker Marilyn Manson, the scorpion's new home is at the farm's Arachnoland.

Its nearest neighbour is a deadly Black Widow Spider which has been placed under equal amount of security.

Mr Jenkins added: "All our dangerous animals are in alarmed cages but Marilyn has to be the most deadly we have had here at the farm."

The Fat Tail Scorpion is normally found in hot, desert areas such as Pakistan, Iraq and Iran and survives on live food.