AN army of creepy caterpillars have transformed a peaceful spot in a Grasmere park into a horror movie scene.

Thousands of moth larvae have weaved a giant web around a tree in Broadgate Park, before turning their attention to a nearby picnic bench.

The infestation of caterpillars, believed to be Willow Ermine moth larvae, have rendered the popular bench a no-go area for tourists.

But it has proved popular as a field trip destination for children at Grasmere Church of England Primary School, who made the astonishing discovery.

Molly Steels and Tom McGregor, both aged 10, said: “We normally love caterpillars, but these were horrible. There were just too many.”

On finding the curtain of web, they said: “It was like cling-film, and then, inside, outside, everywhere, were caterpillars.

“They were a bit freaky - their eyes looked really huge.

“We’re going to watch them closely, to check that they don’t move any closer to school.

“When they turn into moths we’re a bit worried that they might lay their eggs at school. Mind you, we do have a lot of swifts and swallows, so perhaps they’ll all get eaten.”

The children are going to send through their findings to Tullie House Museum, Carlisle, which is collecting data on the movement of species.

The thick silk webbing is designed to protect the caterpillars, and their food, from predators.

They will spend the next few weeks gorging themselves under the cocoon before they pupate into moths.

David Harpley, Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s Conservation Manager, said: “The purpose of the web is to enclose their food inside something predators find it difficult or distasteful to get into.

“A healthy tree can usually survive this, although it could tip a sickly one over the edge.”