Spiders are among some of the least harmful creatures to be found in the UK.
However a number of recent stories in the media have suggested otherwise, with headlines warning of "killer, flesh-eating" false widow spiders taking over parts of the country.
There are some spiders in the UK that will bite you. But they will cause only discomfort or an unpleasant sensation, not death.
Pictured above is one such spider: the segestria florentina, or the tube web spider.
It's also known as the cellar spider, and is relatively large; females can reach a body length of 22mm. They are uniformly black, sometimes with a green shine on their fangs. They will eat bees, wasps, moths and cockroaches. The spiders were originally found only in the Mediterranean region, but are now common in large British towns.
Its bite can be quite painful, with discomfort lasting several hours. But the bites do not have any lasting effects - as this report by the Natural History Museum (NHM) confirms.
All the spiders included in this gallery have been identified by the NHM as ones that can bite you. Click or swipe through to find out more.
Amaurobius ferox: the black lace-weaver spider
This is found in Europe and North America, and has been introduced to New Zealand. The spider is dark brown to black in colour, and is notable for the way its
young eat their mother after hatching - an act encouraged by the mother.
Amaurobius Similis: the lace webbed spider
This is another spider where the mother allows her babies to devour her. The creatures are identifiable in part thanks to the V-shaped markings on their abdomen.
Araneus diadematus: European garden spider
These varieties are very common throughout Europe and North America. All the European kinds have mottled markings across their back, with five or more large white dots forming a cross. It's difficult to provoke a bite from this spider, but if they do, it's completely harmless to humans.
Argiope bruennichi: the wasp spider
This picture shows how this spider came by its common name: the yellow and black markings on its abdomen. Its common throughout central and northern Europe, north Africa and parts of Asia. Research carried out in 2006 found that there had been an influx of these spiders to the UK, but while they can bite, the effects are far from deadly.
Clubiona corticalis: the bark sac spider
This is present in most of Europe and Central Asia. The colour of these spiders is usually brown or darl brown, with some leaf-shaped central markings.
Steatoda grossa: the cupboard spider
This is also known as the dark comb-footed spider or false black widow. It's common in North America, Australasia and Europe. It is often confused with the black widow and other venomous spiders. The females can live up to six years; males often die just after mating.
Trochosa ruricola: the wolf spider
This is also known as the rustic wolf spider. They can be found in Asia, Europe and north America and hunt only on the ground.
Dysdera crocata: the woodlouse spider
This spider acquired its common name because it preys solely on woodlice. They are dark red in colour, with a yellow-brown abdomen. The spiders are widely common in densely-populated areas, such as Europe, North Africa, and the east and west coast of North America. They can bite if handled, which may be painful but causes no major medical problems.
Nuctenea umbratica: the walnut orb-weaver spider
The bite from this spider can cause itchiness and a burning sensations, but is not harmful. The spiders come in a range of colours, from red brown and grey brown to black, with a dark, yellow leaf-like fleckled marking. They are very common in central Europe.
Steatoda nobilis: the noble false widow
This spider is sometimes referred to as a false widow. Its bite is quite painful, feeling similar to a bee or wasp sting. Its reputation has not been helped by the coloured markings on its abdomen, which are often likened to the shape of a skull.