The friend of a decorated war hero has taken to social media to appeal for help to fulfil an unusual wish.

Peter Smith, 47, posted on Twitter asking if anyone could help 94-year-old Jack Roots realise his dream of holding a tarantula.

Mr Roots was in the merchant navy during the Second World War and walked on Normandy beach.

Mr Roots' daughter Virginia told KentOnline she "could not believe he wanted to do something like that".

She added her daughter was terrified of spiders.

It has also emerged Jack keeps two plastic spiders with him while he is at the Chesnuts Home for the Elderly in Wrotham Road, Meopham.

Last year he was presented with the Legion d’honneur which is the highest order of recognition in France.

Mr Smith said: "He seems like a lovely down-to-Earth man and he said to my brother the other day that he wants to hold a terantula and I thought I'd put the call out there.

"We often speak when I'm visiting my mother."

• If you can help Mr Roots email estephenson@thekmgroup.co.uk