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Two confused crabs went on holiday...to the centre of Birmingham, 100 miles from the sea.

The six-inch crustaceans are settling in at the city's National Sea Life centre after an astonished woman resident found them scuttling round, waving their claws in the lift of a block of flats.

No-one knows how they got there though it's suspected that a family returning to Brum from the seaside had caught them in a rock pool and decided to take them home - then dumped them.

Travel weary: The two crabs had got as far as a lift in a Birmingham block of flats, before they were rescued

A spokesman for the centre said today 'We are keen to stress to holidaymakers that creatures shouldn't be removed from their natural habitat.

'Parents should ensure children don't try to sneak any animals in the luggage or car boot and bring them back from holiday.

'The resident who found these two shore crabs in the tower block lift was surprised...I guess you could say she was shell-shocked.

'The last place you would expect to see live shore crabs is in the Midlands, 100 miles away from the nearest beach.

'She found them when she got into a lift in a tower block near her home and she brought them to the centre in a Tupperware container.

'Both crabs are now being cared for by experts in our behind-the-scenes quarantine area.

'Over time, they will be moved out to our shoreline and rock-pool displays..'

Helping hand: The crabs are now being looked after by Birmingham's National Sealife Centre

James Robson, the centre curator, said 'Over the last few months, most of the UK has experienced warm weather with many people heading on UK seaside holidays and hitting the beach.

'However, if you go crab fishing or come across any other sea creatures on your travels, please don't bring them home with you.

'They are very sensitive creatures and need to be kept at a certain temperature with a good supply of sea water or they won't survive.

'So please check your children haven't smuggled any with them as a pet.

'Leave sea creatures where you found them, where they can survive and thrive.'

The centre is home to more than 2,000 creatures from round the world, including the UK's only hammerhead sharks, as well as a rescued Giant Green Sea Turtle, otters, jellyfish, piranha, octopus and rays.