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Dozens of cannibalistic fanged spiders have invaded a street in South Wales as the epidemic spreads.

The eight-legged creatures are believed to be tube spiders – one of the largest types in the UK – and their bite is like a bee sting.

Their thick black bodies range from between 1.5cm to 2.2cm wide and their fangs shine menacingly green.

Mike Rance, 41, first spotted one when he was outside his friend's house on Ludlow Close, Newport and neighbours pointed out clusters all down the street.

Mike tested out the arachnid's appetite, but found it was a particularly fussy eater.

Mike, from Cwmbran, said: "I spotted this one on the wall and shined a light on to it and could see its fangs.

"It was devouring another smaller spider – they're proper little cannibals.

(Image: Caters)

"We tried to feed it a woodlouse but it wasn't interested. We then tried a normal sized spider but it didn't want to know.

"They only seemed to want to eat smaller ones, I guess they must be easier prey."

After capturing one spider, he passed it on to a vet friend with a special interest in spiders as she owns 32 tarantulas herself.

She confirmed that they are in fact tube spiders, whose painful bites can last for up to six hours.

He said: "There were about seven on the back of my mate's house when we first looked.

"One of the neighbours came out and asked if we were looking at the spiders and showed us a cluster of about 30 or 40 in his back garden then showed us one of a similar size in the front yard.

"He then pointed out houses all over the street that said they had them – they're all over the place. They're quite amazing to watch."

(Image: Caters)

Both sexes of tube spiders look similar and live on walls, fences, and the bark of trees.

Originally from southern Europe, adults can be found from June to November and create a tube-shaped web with trip-lines radiating out.

We recently looked at the 10 most common spiders found in the UK , all of which bite.

Fortunately, of more than 650 different species of spiders found in the UK, only 12 of these species have enough venom that can cause harm to a human.

Experts predict that spiders will continue to invade UK homes as the autumn weather sets in.

You recently sent us your most terrifying photos from this year's giant spider invasion.