Locals left terrified after shed tarantula skin found on pavement

Families have been left terrified after the shed skin of a tarantula was found lying on a pavement in a small Kent town.

The scary sight was found in Edenbridge, Kent, on Saturday by Jodie Mae Jenner, 24, who thought it was an injured or dead spider.

But local experts have since identified it as a shed skin - meaning the arachnid is still on the loose.

Tarantulas have a stiff eco-skeleton but to grow larger must occasionally shed it and grow a new one.

Jenner said: "I'm rather scared of spiders anyway, I have a bit of a phobia so I think I am always on the lookout anyway.

"Then I saw these legs. It's not the sort of thing you expect to find while you are out walking your dogs.

"We definitely won't be walking down there again for a while - but nevertheless I hope it's found and it finds an owner as soon as possible."

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The 24-year-old shared her discover on Facebook, sparking concern from fellow locals.

Tarantulas are venomous but not necessarily deadly if they bite humans - however, people are advised to avoid them if they spot them.

The creatures are not native to Britain and rarely survive long in the wild in the UK.