A wildlife expert at Cotswold Wildlife Park near Burford says people should not be concerned about reports that a dangerous spider is spreading across the country.

James Reynolds, from the Burford attractions, said venomous false widow spiders – which have been spotted throughout the South and now the Midlands – are not something that we should worry about.

“They give you a bad bite and you might experience some swelling or some chest pains,” he said. “But I wouldn’t be concerned at all. They’re not aggressive and although they can be found around garden sheds and fences.

“They’re not often seen in built-up areas, where you’re most likely to come into contact with them.”