PEOPLE in Hampshire are being urged to be on the lookout for Britain’s most venomous spiders.

Experts are warning this year’s mild weather could help spark a bumper season for ‘false widows’.

The species, which has a bite that is as painful as a bee sting, first established itself on the south coast but has been moving north over the past 25 years.

There are now thought to be millions across the nation, with sightings as far north as Scotland.

Pest management consultant Clive Boase says conditions are ideal for a significant spike in numbers this autumn.

He said: “We’ve had a reasonably warm year with very few cold snaps and no particularly extended periods of either dry or wet weather.

“That has led to more invertebrates, such as flies, to feed on and means false widows, as well as many other species of spiders, have been able to continue their development throughout the summer.

“They love conservatories and toilet blocks, window frames, porches, lofts and garages and they like to live beneath kitchen appliances and cupboards.

“They are generally shy creatures and won’t come out into the open but they could crawl into curtains or perhaps clothing left on the floor.”

This summer a woman who was bitten as she climbed into bed was in danger of having her leg amputated.

Aideen Hynes’ leg swelled to double its side after the creature sank its fangs into her calf in July.

The venom spread quickly and puss oozed out of her twitching limb.

Only emergency treatment in Northern Ireland saved Mrs Hynes’ leg – if the poison had reached the muscle she would have had to have it amputated to prevent further spreading.

Rentokil offers advice on the eradication of false widows, which it says “snuck into the country around 100 years ago hidden in bunches of bananas, imported from the Madeira and Canary Islands”.

David Cross, head of the Technical Training Academy at Rentokil Pest Control, said: “Male house spiders leave their webs and enter homes in the late summer and autumn months to look for breeding partners.

“As spiders are able to squeeze themselves through tiny gaps and holes, it’s impossible to completely proof your house against them, but of course, closing doors and windows will help keep them at bay.”