Leicester is the SPIDER capital of the UK with more species than anywhere else, study finds

Leicester has been named as home to the most species of spiders in Britain, new research has found.

A study of where the arachnids live found that the East Midlands city had more different species of spiders lurking around than anywhere else in the UK.

Using data from The National Biodiversity Network (NBN), the UK's largest collection of 'biodiversity information', with 235million wildlife records, the study found that Leicester was home to the most spiders out of the UK's 69 cities.

Leicester has been named as home to the most species of spiders in Britain, new research has found. This man in Scotland found this large spider in his laundry basket before it managed to crawl onto his back last year

Using data from The National Biodiversity Network (NBN), the UK's largest collection of 'biodiversity information', with 235million wildlife records, the study found that Leicester was home to the most spiders out of the UK's 69 cities. Pictured: a large spider on a shower curtain in the New Forest, Hampshire, last year

This spider with its two front legs oustretched was found by an unhappy resident in Bristol last year

There are a whopping 650 species of spiders in the UK, 12 of which have enough venom to harm humans, like the cellar spider, the woodlouse spider and the false widow spider.

The research by SellHouseFast.uk found that Leicester had the most species with 228, while St Davids in Wales came second with 209. Swansea followed closely behind with 196 and the City of Westminster in London was fourth with 183.

London itself was next with 178, closely followed by Norwich with 168, Canterbury with 162 and St Asaph in Wales with 142.

What are the top 10 cities in Britain with the most species of spiders? 1) Leicester - 228 2) St Davids, Wales - 209 3 ) Swansea - 196 4) City of Westminster, London - 183 5) London - 178 6) Norwich - 168 7) Canterbury - 162 8) St Asaph, Wales - 142 9) Chester - 118 10) Gloucester - 108 Advertisement

With some 118 species, Chester came in ninth and with a low of 108 species, Gloucester was the bottom of the list.

Leicester resident Karen Conway, 36, said she was horrified that her city was the spider capital of Britain.

The stay-at-home mother of two said: 'I have to get my husband to get even the smallest spider out of the bath, and when I see a big one I just leave the house and call him up to come and deal with it.

'I only thought there were a few species of spider, not hundreds. It's as good a reason as any to move somewhere else as far as I'm concerned.'

A spokesman for SellHouseFast.uk said: 'It's that time of year again. A time when eight-legged creatures venture into our homes seeking out warm and dry places to survive.

'We wanted to look into which part of the UK is most likely to be hit the hardest by an invasion of spiders, and found it was Leicester.

'Homes in the city of Leicester are most in danger of being invaded by spiders according to our research, with 228 different species of spiders recorded.'

A study carried out in 2018 showed 7.35pm was the most active time for spiders during their mating season.

There was also a peak in sightings between 6am and 8am, which suggests arachnids were lurking down kitchen and bathroom plugholes overnight.

Professor Adam Hart from the University of Gloucester last year told the Telegraph that while keeping windows and doors closed may help to keep outdoor spiders out, house spiders are often already hiding somewhere inside.

He added that while there's 'not much you can do' in the fight against house spiders, they are attracted to piles of mess, so keeping clothes and other junk off the floor is important.

Another woman found this large spider in her house and said she 'didn't know spiders like this existed in England'

Removing their webs and filling gaps in walls and surfaces with filler can also reduce the number of places they can live in.

Of the 12 species of spider which can harm humans, false widows are the main offenders and most dangerous.

However, the most common species is the common house spider, which doesn't pose any threat to humans at all.

Last year, a father-of-three from Southampton was left unable to work after being bitten five times by a false widow.

Lewis Pearce suffered five bites while he was asleep and said he was left in severe pain, unable to work, shower, or walk.

Despite asking his local council to remove the arachnids from Canberra Towers in Southampton, Hampshire, he claims he was told that they 'don't deal with spiders'.

The 26-year-old says he is now 'scared' for the safety of his three children, Lacey, five, Freddie, three, - who was also bitten - and seven-month-old Bethany.

His wife Nadine, 26, said: 'It petrifies me. If my children are bitten like he has been, they won't stand a chance. When people are being bitten alive, how are we meant to pay rent?

'I'm meant to be here looking after my children and Lewis can't work. It feels like we are stuck in a dark tunnel.'

A Southampton City Council spokesman said: 'We take all complaints of this nature seriously.

'While we haven't been notified of any other households having this issue, we will investigate and advise tenants accordingly.'