A GWENT teenager is recovering at home after being bitten by a spider as he unpacked bananas.

The 16-year-old youth was working at the Spytty Road Somerfield Warehouse, Newport, when he was bitten by a spider which had been inside the banana crate.

The spider vanished before workers could capture it and there are fears it could have been poisonous.

Somerfield imports bananas from Costa Rica, where the poisonous black widow spider is common, and it is feared that one could have found its way into the crate.

The boy, who has not been named, was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, where he was treated before being allowed to return home.

The Spytty Road warehouse was fumigated as a precaution and an investigation is in progress.

Gemma Davies, spokeswoman for Somerfield, said: "We take the safety of our staff and consumers very seriously.

"A full investigation into the matter is under way and the boy has been told to rest until he feels better."

The incident took place last week.