Cockchafer grubs, nasty things that eat the roots of your grass. There are insecticides which can be watered in to kill them off.

thanks owdboggy. much appreciated

We used to get clouds of young starlings decending on the grass to eat them.......

these are small slugs.

Some of them are, but there are Crane fly larva there too.

The one heading off to the left and the one nearest to it are definitely slugs. There may be other 'things' there also but not so clear.

I've dug up cockchafer grubs in the past and they are huge yellowy things at least one and a half inches long. You've got crane fly larvae there (leatherjackets eventually).

Thanks for all your answers folks I do appreciate it But if it's these things that are eating the grass roots how do I get rid of them . what should I buy?

I right clicked on the search box at the top of this site and came up with this http://www.ecocharlie.co.uk/garden-care/pest-and-disease-control/nemasys-leatherjacket-killer.html Nematodes are a natural control and don't affect wildlife. Failing that, encourage starlings into the garden - they love eating them.

leather jackets have segments these don't. they are all slugs. you can see the 'saddle' type structure, the mantle, on their backs. and nearly all are showing their eye stalks.

Must say that I have to go along with Sbg, they do all look like small white slugs to me.

Horrid little critters.

And Danny, do what you did before with the soapy water then remove the blighters, whatever they are.

Wow thank you all very kindly for helping me with this. I guess I better buy more fairy liquid. I do have 2 bird tables in the garden so we do get a lot of birds. they'll be having a feast every morning . Any left I'll dispose of. Thanks again folks. A very friendly forum you have here.