A WILDLIFE centre is in a sticky situation after its insects bred out of control.

As part of its tropical bugs section, Durham Botanic Gardens keeps a collection of stick insects.

But with the onset of spring, their numbers have multiplied at an unprecedented rate.

Now gardeners at the centre are appealing for members of the public to adopt the creatures as pets.

Head gardener Michael Hughes said: "It happens occasionally that the numbers significantly increase, but for some reason there are a couple of hundred this year.

"It's natural for them to breed in the spring, but whether we have had a high survival rate over the winter, I don't know.

"Perhaps the stocks have just been building up."

Mr Hughes said the large increase in numbers has left the stick insects without sufficient food or space.

He appealed for members of the public to take them home.

"Lots of kids have taken them over the years, and they've had no problems," he said.

Anyone wanting to adopt a stick insect should ring (0191) 374 7972 or go along to the Botanic Gardens, in Durham City, with a ventilated container.