Rumours have been circulating for months that giant, deadly Asian hornets with a 6mm long sting are on their way to the UK – and this could be the proof.

Stuart Knowles from Manchester caught a five centimetre long hornet in a plastic container in a friend’s apartment.

He told the Manchester Evening News: “It was hanging there on the wall in a friend’s house and I knew I had to find something quick to capture it.

“I took a plastic container and poked a few holes in it so it could breathe. But now it’s gnawing at the holes and trying to pull them out again to get out. It looks nasty.

“I think it’s one of the Asian hornets because the description fits. The thing is five centimeters long and has fangs.”

He has sent photographs of the insect to the Non-Native Species Secretariat, which is responsible for dealing with invasive animals, insects and plants from outside the UK, for examination.

In July, a group of workers claimed to have seen a giant Asian hornet on their construction site in Fife, Scotland.

Since their arrival in a shipment of Chinese pottery in 2004, the hornets have spread throughout France, killing six people.

Andrew Allan, 30, from East Kilbride, is believed to be the first person to see one in Scotland. He told Daily recording: “We were doing some stone repairs when we saw this huge thing floating around. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

“My buddy didn’t want to take any risks and hit it with a hammer.”

According to the Mirrorhe added: “It was about five to seven centimeters long and had a massive stinger the length of a needle.”

The sting of the Asian giant hornet is highly toxic and can lead to anaphylactic shock and kidney failure.

Last September, more than 28 people were stung and killed by giant hornets in central China.

Hundreds of people have been stung by swarms of these flying insects in Shaanxi Province: In the city of Ankang alone, more than 230 people were stung and 18 people died.