IF you don't like creepy-crawlies, it might be best to look away now.
The Independent reports that shopper Abby Woodgate, from Colchester, found eggs from the 'world's deadliest spider' in a bunch of bananas she bought from Tesco.
The paper tells us that after mistaking a white lump on the skin for mould, she poked the patch with a toothpick to reveal dozens of tropical eggs from the highly venomous Brazilian wandering spider.
Abby was told that she would have to burn anything that had come into contact with the spider eggs – including her vacuum cleaner, which she used to clean them up – because the arachnids are so toxic.
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If you fancy a bit of history, a taste of English country life and a good pint of beer, then the Daily Mail is pointing you in the direction of Norfolk.
The Good Pub Guide has just named the 14th century Rose and Crown in Snettisham as the winner of the Pub of the Year title.
The venue is described as the quintessentially English pub and overlooks the village cricket green.
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Another story with an historical flavour can be found in the Daily Express which reports that archaeologists have discovered a priceless collection of Roman bling, buried to protect it from Britain's warrior queen Boudicca, under a busy High Street in Colchester, Essex.
The haul, which has been described as “of national importance and one of the finest ever uncovered in Britain” includes gold armlets, ear-rings and rings plus silver chains, rings and coins.
The theory is that it was buried by wealthy Romans as Boudicca - also known as Boadicea - advanced on Colchester.
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Yet another story about eccentric Brits, this time on the BBC news website. Forty-seven year old Tim Jones has built a pirate ship in the back garden of his home in Felixstowe, Suffolk.
The story says that Tim cut down some of his trees to build features such as a cannon, and has added finishing touches including a toy parrot and a pirate flag.
Tim said the idea for the pirate ship came from his themed birthday parties, which had previously been based on themes including Mexico, the 1940s and a Medieval banquet.
“You can see it from the road, there's a big flag flying and the mast - it's quite a sight.”
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You might want to think twice about getting into a lift in London.
A BBC report says that nearly 5,000 people had to be freed from lifts in buildings in the capital by firefighters in the past year.
London Fire Brigade attended 4,909 non-urgent calls to release people from lifts - about 13 incidents a day.
The worst offenders were Earlsdown House in Barking with 22 call-outs and Windmill Court in Brent, which it attended 16 times.
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It seems that when it comes to coffee consumption, you can't beat British journalists.
The Guardian newspaper says that recent research showed that they drink more cups a day than any other group of 'professionals.'
Eighty five per cent of people surveyed said they drink at least three cups of coffee a day while around 70 per cent admitted that their working ability would be affected without a daily dose of coffee.
Reference list:
The Express (www.express.co.uk)
The Guardian (www.guardian.co.uk)
The Independent (www.independent.co.uk)
Daily Mail (www.dailymail.co.uk)
BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)