Just found an article that gives info on the false widow, and also other spiders that look like it.

http://srs.britishspiders.org.uk/por...+Widow+Spiders

Apparently there are 4 that are being reported as false widows since the hysteria started.

good link, here's another one

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priscilla_Presley

I really think hysteria is VERY much overstating the situation

I'm in the UK and I've never heard of them! Granted, I don't read the Daily Mail, but certainly nothing about them on Facebook etc? I'm off to Google now, expect full blown hysteria to follow shortly.

I always found it quite difficult to focus on their markings as they spun around inside the Dyson.