READERS have been sending us their pictures of the scary spiders which have appeared in their houses over the past few days.

The pics come amid warnings that this year’s mild climate could lead to a ‘bumper season’ for the false widow spider.

The UK population of the species, whose bite is typically as painful as a bee sting, has soared into the millions in recent years and is thought to be growing all the time.

Pest management consultant Clive Boase says conditions, which are expected to continue through September and beyond, are ideal for a significant spike in numbers in the autumn.

“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.”

While false widows have developed a fearsome reputation as Britain’s most venomous spider, reports of bites remain rare.