'Fluke' fossil find reveals giant millipedes that were as big as cars

The fluke discovery of a 326 million year old fossil has provided evidence of giant millipedes that weighed 50kg

The largest-ever fossil of a giant millipede was found by a "fluke". Picture: University of Cambridge/PA Wire

Giant millipedes as long as a car and weighing 50kg once hunted across Northern England, experts have revealed, following the discovery of a 326 million-year-old fossil.

The largest ever fossil of a giant millipede was found by a "fluke" on a Northumberland beach at Howick, after a section of cliff fell onto the shore.