Thousands of spiders 'the size of a human hand' on the loose in the UK after Chester Zoo releases giant creepy crawly

Chester Zoo has released thousands of giant spiders into the wild in a bid to control the population of other insects.

The spiders, which are native to the UK, can grow to be up to 12 cm (4.7 inches) in length and are considered to be one of the largest spiders in the country.

The zoo has been breeding the spiders in captivity for several years and has now released them into a nature reserve near the zoo.

The spiders are not considered to be a threat to humans, but they can bite if they are provoked.

The zoo hopes that the spiders will help to control the population of other insects in the nature reserve, such as mosquitoes and flies.

The release of the spiders has been met with mixed reactions from the public.

Some people are concerned about the potential for the spiders to bite humans or pets, while others believe that they will be beneficial to the environment.

The zoo has stressed that the spiders are not a threat to humans and that they are only being released into a controlled environment.

The zoo is monitoring the spiders' progress and will take steps to remove them from the nature reserve if they become a problem.

The release of the spiders is part of a wider project by Chester Zoo to conserve the UK's native wildlife.

The zoo is also working to protect other endangered species, such as the red squirrel and the common toad.

The zoo's work is vital in helping to ensure that the UK's native wildlife continues to thrive.