Ammon News - A father died after reportedly being bitten by his own pet spider which he had purchased online just weeks before.

Mark Anthony Kirby, from Prescot in Merseyside, was said to have been nipped shortly after purchasing the venomous spider.

And now his family have told of their heartache after the dad died a week later on August 2.

The 34-year-old had become obsessed with the spiders after previously being terrified of insects, his ex-partner of 16 years Kayleigh Gill said.

She said he had complained about feeling ill but had still been 'playing pranks' during a meal the group had at a Toby Carvery before driving back home on July 26.

Mark then continued to complain about flu-like symptoms, a fluctuating temperature and aching limbs over the following week.

When paramedics arrived at the scene, they were unable to save him.

Kayleigh said the post mortem has so far been inconclusive in finding a cause of death, but believes the symptoms which developed over a week and a half point to a spider bite being a possible cause.

Mark leaves behind his 18-year-old son Nathan-Mark and 17-year-old daughter Kimmy-Louise. Daily Mail