They usually content themselves with hunting one terrifying beast per trip â but this time they are going after two.

Researchers from The Centre for Fortean Zoology (CFZ) are heading to Guyana in search of the didi â the South American version of Bigfoot â and giant anacondas.

In the past, the monster detectives have trekked through Mongolia to unearth the corrosive saliva-spitting ‘Death Worm’ and West Africa to trap the mythical ninki nanka.

So far, they have returned to their Devon base empty-handed, but this time the team say they are brimming with confidence.

Expedition organiser Jon Downes is organising the trip to a secret swamp in the rainforests of Guyana where there have been sightings of 12m (40ft) snakes.

He said: ‘There have been reports of snakes that are much longer than any other.

‘We believe these reptiles are either a new species altogether or extremely large anacondas.

‘Whatever they are, it is it is going to be very exciting.’

The team will also go in search of the didi â a creature that lives ‘somewhere between reality and folklore’.

It is described as a hairy, ape-like being which is believed to have killed hundreds of cattle by ripping out their tongues with its scythe-like claws.

The CFZ believes the beast may be a surviving species of ground sloth thought to have been extinct for more than 10,000 years.

The expedition sets off in November and Metro reporter Oliver Stallwood will be in tow to document the team’s progress.

It is being sponsored by Capcom, producers of Monster Hunter Freedom 2 â the fastest ever selling game on the PlayStation portable console.