A family from Bristol are appealing for help after burglars stole one of their most precious possessions – a tarantula spider.

Andrea Wiltshire, who is registered blind, her husband, David, and their youngest son Tristan, 11, are desperate for the return of their unusual pet 'Arry, a Chile rose spider, after she was taken in a burglary in Withywood over Christmas.

The break-in was the second time the Wiltshire's home has been targeted in three weeks as they were burgled at the start of December.

Tarantula spiders require special care and the family are worried that 'Arry the arachnid may be with people who don't know how to look after her properly.

Mrs Wiltshire said: "Tarantulas shouldn't be handled all the time because it stresses them out.

"You have to be careful with 'Arry too because she is a jumper and the minute you take her out she might attempt to escape.

"You also have to be careful because she shoots hairs off that can cause a bad skin reaction.

"She eats crickets and we are not sure she is even being fed.

"We have been to local pet shops and asked around to see if any tarantulas have been offered for sale, but there's been no joy.

"We love 'Arry and now there is just an empty space waiting for her to be returned in her tank. She's a big Bristol City fan like all of us and we just want her home.

"This is the second break-in in three weeks. The first time they took the television set, the computer and cameras. Now they have taken a second television set we were borrowing, mobile phones, a computer desk and 'Arry.

"We have been left with nothing.

"It's so stressful over Christmas to have to come home early and go through the process of claiming on the insurance again.

"We have also had to pay our £100 excess fee each time which has left us £200 out of pocket.

"It would really cheer us up if someone could tell us where 'Arry is and return her."

The first break-in at the Wiltshire's was on December 3.

The family were visiting relatives in Norfolk for Christmas when they got a call on Boxing Day to say that their home had again been broken into, despite neighbours checking the house regularly.

When they returned they found the house had been trashed by the thieves, who they think may have been responsible for the first burglary.