A colourful creepy-crawly has made its home under pensioner Jack White's windowsill.

Mr White noticed the large arachnid at the weekend but it was not until he read The Argus on Monday that he realised his new guest was a wasp spider.

Brighton and Hove City Council had reported a rise in sightings of the rare yellow and black spiders, which it puts down to changes in the use of sprays in parks.

The spider is venomous but not lethal to humans and its bite has the same effect as a severe bee sting.

Mr White, 73, of Warenne Road, Hangleton, Hove, does not suffer from arachnophobia and has welcomed his new arrival.

He said: "It has a very fine web which is quite unusual. I fed it a crane fly last night and it enjoyed it."

English Nature said sightings were not common but, as a European spider, it should fit in with other species in this country.

Wasp spiders can be found along the South Coast but are now spreading and have been spotted as far north as Cambridge.

It is thought they were introduced from Europe and the first sighting on these shores was in 1922.

The creatures are not protected in Britain. They are protected by law in Belgium, although they are more common towards the Mediterranean.

Mr White's example is probably a female, as the male specimens are much smaller and are often eaten while mating.

The spiders usually live in long grass and low vegetation and only become established where grass is not managed.

Mike Middleton, lead councillor for leisure, recreation and open spaces, said the reduced use of pesticides in parks was making green spaces more welcoming for wildlife.