For almost a year the pair of black widow spiders hid in the car imported by Bicester-based motorsport company, Damax.

The spiders were only discovered when the car was taken apart for repairs. 

Robin Ward, manager of Damax, explains: "We found the first spider tucked under the fuel tank and carefully put it in a plastic container and looked on the internet to try and identify it.

"Fortunately I’m not scared of spiders, but I had quite a shock when we first suspected it could be a black widow. We couldn’t believe it when we found a second spider under the dashboard.

"I wanted the spiders to be re-homed rather than killed, so it is great that they are now at the Zoo for people to see and learn about."

Mark Bushell, assistant curator of invertebrates at Bristol Zoo, said: "It is quite common for insects to be unknowingly imported into the country, but it is very rare for it to be something as dangerous as a black widow spider.

"I imagine they were spiderlings when they came into the UK, and they have survived by eating flies and other small bugs while they were in the garage.

"They are fully grown adults now, if a little bit thin, but we’ll feed them up and they will be perfectly happy and healthy here."