A SPECTACULAR display of spider webs spanning more than 100 metres has appeared on a stone wall in Lancashire.

The stunning, but spooky, display of webs appeared on the wall in Keighley Old Road between Laneshaw Bridge and Trawden.

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The natural attraction created quite a stir, with groups of walkers and motorists stopping to wonder and photograph the arachnid invasion, which appeared appropriately enough at Hallowe'en.

Nearby resident Dr Judith Charnley, 60, took some photographs which revealed the intricate webs had been spun by thousands of tiny spiderlings on the wall of the adjacent sheep farm.

Dr Charnley, who is a veterinary surgeon, specialising in sheep and goats said she was called by her husband Thomas, 77, after he spotted the 'web of intrigue'.

She said: "He called and said that I wouldn't want to miss this.

"Our home borders this land and I've seen moths and webs in the fields, but nothing quite so dramatic.

"There have been groups of walkers stopping to look at the webs, which stretch for about 100 metres.

"The spiders are dark coloured and are about 2mm across and move quite quickly over the stone.

"I took the pictures on Hallowe'en, which was very appropriate but since then the weather has got a lot colder and it's rained heavily so most of the webs have disappeared.

"I've done some research and found in one of my old Readers' Digest nature books from the 70s that they maybe the species dictyna arundinacea, or veil spider."

They are a species of spider found throughout Britain and northern Europe whose head is covered with five rows of white hairs.

The species normally builds webs in the dried heads of plants and on gorse and heather, but they can build on walls and other objects.

Dr Charnley, added: "We've been told this result of additional egg masses being laid due to mild October weather.

"The much colder weather and recent rain has seen the number fall but you can still see some of the webs so it's not as visually stunning."

Lancashire Wildlife Trust Campaigns Officer Alan Wright said: “Our experts believe this is a spider called Dictyna arundinacea. It’s a common UK species but it doesn’t appear to have a nicer name.

“Their webs look like veils and are generally found on plants or across mossland areas but they do occur on walls.

"The Trawden webs are most likely to have been so large because the mild autumn conditions have meant more of these spiders have survived without a cold snap.

“This is an amazing sight and great news because lots of spiders will keep insects in check and provide food for birds over winter. Everyone’s a winner.”