The child seat manufacturer Diono has warned drivers of how a sudden encounter with a spider could land them a £2,500 fine and up to nine penalty points.

As the autumn months rapidly approach, many spiders are looking for warmer and drier spaces to nest, with many choosing parked cars.

To prevent an encounter with the widely-feared creature, Tim Maule, CEO and Child Safety Expert at Diono, recommended that drivers check their vehicle thoroughly before setting off on a journey.

He advised: "Regular inspections are crucial. Before each journey, take a moment to check your child's car seat for any signs of spider activity. Pay special attention to crevices and corners where spiders might hide or drop onto you, such as sun visors.

"Look for any signs of webs or spider activity, inside and outside your car, especially in darker, less disturbed areas of the car."

Nevertheless, if a driver finds that there is a spider in their car whilst they are in the middle of a journey, Diono urged them to stay as calm as possible.

The best thing for motorists to do is to try and ignore the creature, carry on with their journey as normal, or to pull over in a safe space to get rid of it safely.

Those who overreact when finding a spider in their car could put themselves and other road users at a higher risk of causing a crash, and possibly being charged with dangerous driving, which can lead to fines of up to £2,500 and nine penalty points in the most serious cases.

To prevent spiders from coming into their vehicle in the first place, Tim also advised motorists look into the wide range of natural repellents on sale.

He added: "Keep your vehicle clean and clutter-free. Spiders are attracted to dark, undisturbed areas. Regular cleaning not only deters spiders but also ensures your child's seating area remains hygienic.

"Consider using child-safe, spider-repellent methods. Natural deterrents like peppermind oil can be effective when used safely and away from your child's immediate seating area. A quick wipe down and spritz with some natural repellents is highly recommended."

Finally, Diono reassured drivers that the vast majority of spiders found in the UK are far from being dangerous.

Whilst many Brits have a phobia of the eight-legged creature, most of them only enter cars to stay safe from other insects and keep warm in the colder weather.

As a result, it is important that drivers who feel nervous when seeing one remember to take a few deep breaths and remember that the spider will be much more scared of them.