THIS creepy looking creature shocked the life out young Kerry Hill when she saw it crawling along her garden path...

The 13-year-old spotted the hairy caterpillar creeping along ahead of her.

Thinking she was about to discover perhaps the world's largest ever butterfly, she decided to give the caterpillar a dose of tender loving care -- until it pupated into a winged marvel.

She then contacted the experts at the nearby butterfly house at Moss Bank Park.

Kerry. of Moss Bank Close, Astley Bridge, described the creature -- horns, fangs and all -- and was horrified when she was told it would transform into nothing more than a moth, even if it was the rare elephant hawk variety.

According to experts, most butterflies have colourful wings and fly by day, while moths are usually drab and fly at dusk or during the night.

But despite the disappointment, Kerry, a pupil of Bolton's Thornleigh College, still thought the elephant hawk would make a welcome addition to the family at Moss Bank Park.

Mum Elizabeth said: "It was a big hairy thing with horns on. Kerry found it on the path and it has caused quite a stir with her and all her friends.

"I think she thought it would make a big, beautiful butterfly, but they told us it was a moth. At least it is probably living the high life now with like-minded friends."