THREE prisoners were hospitalised after being bitten by false widow spiders. 

False widow spiders, also known as a 'cupboard spider', can be found all over the world but are most common in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.

They were recently caught at HMP Bullingdon, near Bicester, after the creatures had bitten several inmates.

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Oxford Mail: False widow spiderFalse widow spider (Image: David Short/Flickr)

A bite from a false widow spider is 'medically significant in humans' but minor and symptoms can include blistering, muscle spasms, pain, fever, and sweating.

Three prisoners had to go to hospital for minor treatment following the bites but they have all since recovered.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “Exterminators swiftly removed false widow spiders found at HMP Bullingdon in February. There was no serious harm to prisoners.”