The good burghers of Hartlepool may have been a little taken aback by the offer of an ant-eater from their counterparts in Tanzania.

The creature was the highest honour the African country's district of Manyoni could bestow on the Teesside town, which befriended them three years ago and sponsors a school and a hospital.

But after weeks of deliberating, council officials have politely declined the offer of a three foot-long scaly pangolin named Eric.

The ant-eater was offered as a token of appreciation when a delegation from the town, including a council representative, visited the impoverished African region in November.

Council officials in Hartlepool immediately made enquiries to see if the mammal could adapt to an English winter.

But zoos said they could not accept the animal because its chances of survival were remote.

Match for mountain lion

It seems past pangolin imports have not adapted to the climate and have died quickly in captivity. The record so far is 10 days.

As its name suggests, in order to reach its food, the ant-eater scratches a hole in an anthill with a sharp, curved claw and darts its unfeasibly long tongue in and out of the hole capturing the ants and swallowing them whole.

Though ant-eaters never attack another animal first, they will defend themselves fiercely.

When in danger it will strike out with its thick, strong claws and is a match for even a mountain lion or a jaguar.

'Four-leaf clover'

Hartlepool councillor Jeff Lilley said: "To the people of the Manyoni district, the ant-eater is an animal of tremendous significance.

"It is about new beginnngs - it's like the ultimate four-leaf clover.

"The link between Hartlepool and Tanzania began about three years ago when the people sponsored a school and a hospital.

"It is something we are very proud of."

To bring Eric back to the North of England, the council would have needed confirmation that a zoo could look after him to obtain an import licence.

The council now hopes members of the next delegation to visit Hartlepool from Tanzania will bring a scaled-down carved version of Eric.