A PENSIONER is recovering at home today after she was bitten by a giant spider which crawled out of a bunch of bananas.

Supermarket bosses at Tesco have launched an investigation after 83-year-old Ena Woodthorpe from Cowes, Isle of Wight, was bitten on the wrist by the spider - believed to be one of the poisonous "Purse" variety from north-west Europe and Australia.

Mrs Woodthorpe's daughter Maureen Marshall told the Daily Echo that her mother was still in pain and shock from the bite which happened on Thursday evening.

The frail widow was rushed to St Mary's Hospital in Newport by neighbours after she was bitten by the arachnid - which was described as black and with a body the size of an adult's thumbnail.

Mrs Marshall said that the spider was found in a bunch of bananas which were bought for her mother at the giant Tesco superstore in Brading Road, Ryde.

She said: "My cousin always gets my mother's shopping for her in Tesco in Ryde. Mum always has bananas. Yesterday evening, she brought her shopping and mum went out to get her bananas and put them in a fruit bowl.

"Mum put her hand in the bag and the spider ran up her arm and bit her."

Mrs Woodthorpe tried to telephone Mrs Marshall but because of the pain and shock of her injury, she could not use the telephone properly. Eventually, she managed to get hold of neighbours who rushed her to hospital.

Mrs Marshall added: "Mum is actually not that afraid of spiders. She had a glass alongside her and quickly put the glass over it. She has not had much sleep since. She was more shocked than anything."

The spider was also taken to St Mary's Hospital for analysis.

They are related to tarantulas and live most of their lives buried in holes in the ground. The females eat the males once mating has taken place.

A Tesco spokeswoman said: "We are taking it very seriously. We were very concerned to learn about the incident."

Mrs Woodthorpe said: "The spider ran up my arm and it was like two needles going in. I was shaking."