Readers were left horrified after a mysterious spider was found under a bridge in Barrow.

Samuel Edgar found the dead two-inch-long arachnid on Marsh Street.

Scared of the creature, Mr Edgar gave it a quick inspection before kicking into a drain.

He said a yellow ‘goo’ that came out of the creature proved it was real and described the experience as ‘scary as hell’.

Efforts are being made to identify the enigmatic arachnid.

Wildlife experts believe the spider may well have been a pet.

“It was about two inches long with legs that were probably longer but I didn’t want to unravel them in case the fangs got me,” Mr Edgar said. “I poked it and realised it was dead then squished its abdomen and there was a yellowish goo.

“I then kicked it into the drain with my shoe.”

Wayne Kettlewell said: “That’s a weird one – not one of mine I might add.

Amie Joughin-Mossop said: “Wayne Kettlewell I didn’t think that, thought you may know what it was due to your expertise."

Wayne replied: “Doesn’t look like a tarantula to me, not seen this before – looks as though it’s covered in something, hiding any distinctive markings."

Mary Walters said: “I thought Solifugid looking at the abdomen. I have had a few of them in the past.”

Catherine Smith said: “Yuck.”

Delia Jones said: “I know. I felt sick when I read it.”

Tracey Wallace said: “Glad I never found the thing.”

Delia Jones said: "Oh God, could you imagine? I would have been sick on the spot.”

Tracey Wallace said: “I’d have screamed and run a mile.”

Paula Round said: “Don’t like the look of that one.”

Lorraine Gott said: “I know, tell you I’m sick of the sight of them.”