TESTS are being carried out to identify an exotic spider found in a Kent supermarket.

The first sighting of the mysterious arachnid was by customers who reported seeing a large spider at a checkout in Sainsbury's in Quarry Wood, Aylesford.

Staff then saw the spider on several occasions near the supermarket's tills. Twice, it reportedly jumped at staff. But it was finally cornered in the cashing-up area where an employee stamped on it.

Now a debate has started about its identity. One staff member said: "Apparently it's a Banana Spider."

The Banana Spider is one of the most venomous in the world.

* See the Malling edition of the Kent Messenger (Friday, June 29) for the full story.