The mammoth spider drew attention from shocked passers by who spotted it under a bench on the seafront.

The fearful looking creature can grow to a size of 12 inches and boast the dimensions of a dinner plate.

Lee Mayhew, took a picture of the spider and sent it into the Mail.
We forwarded that on and experts have identified as a Goliath Bird-eating tarantula which are usually found in South America.

Kim Plant of North East Reptile Rescue said that while the spider is not classed as deadly, it can deliver a venomous bite that would cause severe swelling.

Miss Plant said the monster spider must be an escaped pet, as the species is not found in the wild in the UK.

Mr Mayhew, 28, made the incredible find while walking along the front with his girlfriend at 2.30pm on Monday.

The piping designer said: "There was a couple there and they were standing back from it.

"They called me over and said 'Does this look real to you?'"

Lee, from Billingham, who estimated the spider was eight inches in diameter, gave it a gentle prod with his shoe and it twitched.

"It just looked like a big bunch of leaves at first until I got close, but then I could not believe how big it was.

"I was quite shocked to see it.

"It's not the sort of thing that you see everyday."

Lee and his girlfriend, Jennifer Sutheran, 23, continued their walk but returned 15 minutes later to find the spider in the same place.

Miss Plant added that a bite from the spider could be life threatening to people who suffer an allergic reaction.

She said: "It's a possibility, with it being a burrowing species, that it could have found somewhere to burrow.

"It can bite, but with it being so cold it might not.

"But it might be so scared it might try and defend itself."
She had the following advice for anyone with the misfortune to cross its path.

She added: " If it's moving around people should try and get a box with holes in and place it over it.

"Don't try and capture it in your own hands, it could do damage to itself or someone else."

She said that should anyone see the spider should call them on 07954721365.

Have you unexpectedly come across a weird or wonderful animal or seen this tarantula on its travels? If so let the newsdesk know on 01429 239381 or contact us online at mail.news@northeast-press.co.uk.