Tropical spider found in UK shipping container

A tropical spider has been found on the loose after arriving in the UK from Barbados.

The huntsman spider was discovered in Christchurch, Dorset, inside a shipping container delivering engineering parts.

Chris Newman, director of the National Centre of Reptile Welfare said they appealed to people on social media to rescue the arachnid and it now has a new home.

He said: "She'll live out her days quite happily now being cared for by somebody."

Newman said stowaways like this are very common and the centre has recently seen an increase in holidaymakers mistakenly bringing reptiles, amphibians and arachnids back in their suitcases.

"We've got seven today across the country," he said.

He said the huntsman spider might look "big and scary" but they are actually "completely harmless," which is why the charity only put the appeal out on social media.

However he reassured the public that if it was something "life threatening" then his team, based in Kent, would go and physically collect it.

Newman said they have collected two venomous Brazilian Wandering Spiders this year and picked up a scorpion in Canterbury on Thursday.

He advised people returning from their holidays to spend some time checking and shaking their clothes before they put them in their suitcases.

If people do bring an animal back then they can send an image of it to the centre, who can advise how to deal with it.

"If you're uncertain, always just call us straight away and we're available 24/7," Newman said.