A new survey by the National Geographic channel has revealed that spiders are the UK's most feared animal.

More than a fifth of all respondents named the eight-legged beasts as terrifying in the poll, commissoned to mark the launch of new channel National Geographic Wild. Snakes came a close second, with 19.7% of the vote.

Some disparities were recorded amongst the regions of the UK. Bizarrely, 2% of those surveyed in East Anglia admitted to a fear of gorillas, while people living in Yorkshire are more likely to live in fear of horses.

Top ten feared animals in full:

1. Spiders (20.6%)
2. Snakes (19.7%)
3. Rats (9.0%)
4. Crocodiles (8.3%)
5. Dogs (5.3%)
6. Insects (4.0%)
7. Lions (3.8%)
8. Sharks (3.2%)
9. Humans (1.7%)
10. Wasps (1.6%)