Shiver me timbers

A WOOD-munching pest that has tormented seafarers over the centuries might hold the key to a biofuel breakthrough.

Gribble, which resemble pink woodlice, bored through planks on wooden ships in days gone by.

But British researchers have learned that gribble have a gift for digesting wood not seen in any other animal.

They produce enzymes that break down woody cellulose into energy-rich sugars, which scientists believe might hold the key to converting wood and straw into liquid biofuel.