Uncertainty over spider numbers

There could be more spiders and daddy longlegs than usual this autumn

Claims that there may be more spiders around this autumn have been challenged by an Essex wildlife expert.

John Hall, Director of the Essex Wildlife Trust agrees there are a lot of spiders around, but is not sure there are any more than usual.

"This time of the year there are lots and lots of spiders around, it happens every autumn," he said.

"Perhaps there have been a few more this year than normal because it has been a very dry summer."

John estimated that there could be up to 1000 species of spider in the UK.