Silky's wormed his way back from China

But mother-of-five Linda Greenshields discovered something a little different unpacking her case after three weeks in China with her two daughters - a stowaway silkworm.

The 49-year-old found the cocoon, which had travelled thousands of miles, in a handbag inside her case.

Mrs Greenshields, a religious studies teacher at Buckhaven High School, said: "At first I thought it was empty, a nice wee reminder of our trip. But a few days later something popped out - I got a fright.

"There were two eyes staring at me as the moth emerged.

"Once it had hatched, I thought 'I can't just let this poor wee thing die'.

"When I showed it to the girls, Eilidh and Siona, they got a fright but they got quite fond of it. Eilidh named it Silky."

Mrs Greenshields called the Scottish SPCA last Thursday for advice. She was told to keep it in a container with air holes to stop it flying away.

The moth was collected by one of the charity's inspectors and is now being cared for at the Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World.

Mrs Greenshields, from Dunfermline, set up UK charity Hope 4 China in 2004 to help raise awareness of, and funds for, children in orphanages and poor homes in rural China.

Eilidh, 7, and Siona, 4, who were born in China, were adopted by Mrs Greenshields and husband Iain when they were 18-months-old.

The family were visiting Desheng, where Eilidh was born.

"We were looking at the ancient houses and the people invited us in," said Mrs Greenshields.

"There were silkworms all over the floor. This was really the only industry.

"I think one of the kids must have popped it in my bag, but nobody is owning up to it!"

But Silky's stay at the butterfly sanctuary will be brief - silk moths only live for around a week after hatching.

Mrs Greenshields said: "In China, he would have been boiled alive for silk. I think he did well out of it!"

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