POKEMON'S pocket monsters have to be the biggest Japanese thing to hit these shores in years.

But Blackpool now has some new "monsters" on the sea front -- and these aren't the type you'd want to put in your pocket.

The SeaLife Centre, Central Promenade, opened its doors recently to the new "Claws" exhibition, the stars of which are five giant Japanese spider-crabs.

Named after some of Nintendo's finest Pokemon, the spider crabs form the introduction to a new exhibition of crustaceans.

Pikachu, Squirtle, Churizarl, Bulbasaur and Gengar stand guard over the corridor which leads you through a wild array of crabs, shrimps and lobsters.

"These spider crabs are only juveniles at the moment and they measure somewhere in the region of two-and-a-half feet across," said Keith Maddern, entertainments team leader.

"But they live for about 25 years during which time they can grow to as large as 12 feet!"

Guests invited to the opening ceremony were also entertained with an impressive display of strength by British martial arts champion Rob Campbell which included performing a jujitsu duel with an assistant.

Pictured is Della Belk, SeaLife attractions manager, getting to grips with one of the spider crabs while Rob Campbell decides that the only way to deal with it is with a sharp instrument.