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Digging under the apple tree today found this.  It's a bit over an inch long.  Any ideas?

And any recommendations for a good insect ID book (for beginners!) would be welcome.

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He is called ORRIBLE ceres :)

Lol! 

It looks predatory by those mandibles. But no idea what it is :-\

You might find it on here
.
http://www.britishbugs.org.uk/

Thanks Flighty but I don't think it's a bug.  That's a great site though for bugs, have saved it.

Had a look in my 'Field Guide in Colour to Insects' book Ceres, can't find the exact match though. All I can say is it's a beetle! Maybe it needs to grow a bit before it resembles anything in the book.
Re. the book, I've had it for donkeys years and it covers most things you would need to know about most insects. Great for moths and butterflys.

It's a beetle larva, and with those mandibles it's probably going to be a ground beetle. They're definitely friends.

Thanks Robert.  I did let it go unharmed!

Thanks for the book tip maggie.  I'll have a browse around and see if I can pick up a copy.