A DAD has been left unable to walk for the last two months after he and his son were ravaged by venomous false widow spiders.

Lewis Pearce, 26, was bitten five times, and his three-year-old son Freddie was also bitten as they slept in their Southampton home in July.

5 Lewis Pearce, 26, was bitten five times by a false widow spiders, and left unable to work, shower or walk Credit: Solent News

5 One of the spider bites Lewis received while sleeping in his Southampton home Credit: Solent News

5 His three-year-old son Freddie, was also bitten by the poisonous False Widow spiders Credit: Solent News

Lewis has been in severe pain since, as he can't even work or shower.

And he is fearing for the safety of his young children, five- year-old Lacey, three year old Freddie - who was also bitten - and seven-month-old Bethany.

Mr Pearce said: “I can’t walk as it’s very difficult and I haven’t been able to shower properly for over a month as I can’t get the dressing wet.

"The bites are painful and now I’m scared for my children, especially for my seven-month-old baby who sleeps in the same room as me - and during the night is when I’m usually bitten.”

His wife Nadine, 26, said: "It petrifies me. If my children are bitten like he has been, they won’t stand a chance.

“When people are being bitten alive, how are we meant to pay rent?

FALSE WIDOW SPIDERS The false widow spider, also known as the Steatoda Nobilis, is believed to have travelled to Britain on fruit crates from the Canary Islands in the 1800s. The spider, commonly found in South America, can grow up to 14mm in size. The spider is nocturnal and will normally spend the day sleeping inside a crack or hole close to its web. False widows like dry, warm environments where they will be unlikely to be disturbed. This is often what brings them into people's homes. The spiders are most commonly seen in the south of the country, but reported sightings suggest they are moving northwards.

"I’m meant to be here looking after my children and Lewis can’t work. It feels like we are stuck in a dark tunnel.”

Another resident at the block - who asked not to be named - said: “This isn’t a home for my daughter.

"There are three or four spiders on every single level.”

Mr Pearce said he asked the council to remove the spiders from their estate, Canberra Towers, and he claims they told him they "don't deal with spiders".

MOST READ UK NEWS HAPPY MEAL McDonald’s worker pays customer’s bill after he calls mum to ask for her order LOCKED IN Top SAGE scientists had a plan for EVERYONE over the age of 45 to shield at home Latest GUNNED DOWN Two men shot and another stabbed by masked thugs near children's play area Exclusive HAPPY MEAL McDonald’s worker who paid for lad’s meal has secretly bought food for MONTHS HERE WE SNOW! Leeds hit by SNOW as temps plummet to -5 as Brits brace for 65mph gusts today RULE OF 600 Hundreds spill out of pubs into street party & packed Tubes after 10pm curfew 'BIG FRIENDLY BEAR' 'True gent' sergeant shot dead by gunman who tried to kill 2 more cops XMAS CHEER Ministers will do 'whatever it takes' to save Xmas with '3m tests & 4-week hols' DAYTIME DRINKING Nightclubs to open from 3pm with half-price drinks to beat 10pm curfew OAP KNIFED Woman, 69, killed in 2am stabbing as female, 40, arrested for 'murder'

A spokesperson for Southampton City Council said: “We take all complaints of this nature seriously.

"While we haven’t been notified of any other households having this issue, we will investigate and advise tenants accordingly.”

Recent reports have suggested that incidents of False Widow bites are likely to increase, as wet weather has forced the bugs inside and into people’s homes.

Dave Rumble, an adviser from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust said: “False Widow spiders are here to stay since they were first noticed 10 to 20 years ago.”

5 This is one of the Black Widow spiders that bit Lewis and his three-year-old son Credit: Solent News

5 Lewis asked Southampton Council to remove the spiders which some locals claim has infested Canberra Towers, and he claims they told him it is not something they deal with Credit: Solent News

How to spot a False Widow spider, the UK's most venomous and frightening arachnid

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368 . You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.