Pictured: Monster crab with claws the size of a man's hand captured off the British coast

A monster crab - three times the size of average - and with claws bigger than a man’s hands - has been hauled from the deep. The whopping 17lb crustacean measures an unbelievable width of more than two feet when fully extended, as well as having an impressive shell width of 12 inches. It has an incredible a claw span of nine inches - big enough to break bones.

The enormous crab was captured by Paul Worsley, 39, on a recent diving trip to Lyme Regis, Dorset.

The shelled creature was so large that he was barely able to carry it to the surface.

Mr Worsley, from Aylesbury, said: ‘I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. I’ve seen and caught crabs before but never one as big as this.

‘It must be at least three times the size of an average crab, if not more.’  Mr Worsley has since returned to Aylesbury with his impressive capture.

‘Now it sits next to me in my office but we’re going to eat it in the next few days.

‘It’s going to provide a lot of meat - enough to feed at least 10 people’.

It’s not just Paul who was shocked by the size of the crab. Local fishermen have also expressed their disbelief at its giant proportions.    

Douglas Lanfear, who was captain of the boat Mr Worsley was using in his dive, believes it to be one of the biggest crabs ever seen in the region.

It’s a real monster,’ he said. ‘The size of its claws are unbelievable.  

‘They could easily break a man’s fingers if they got hold of them.

'It’s definitely the biggest crab I’ve ever seen, and none of the local fishermen have ever seen one so big either.’