BUGWORLD SWARMED WITH CALLS AS RED SPIDER IS SPOTTED

IT'S red, it travels up the M6 on a regular basis – and it’s not a Manchester United fan!  Instead, it is a red spider which has been spending the last ten years slowly migrating up the M6, causing concern to homeowners in the North West where it has suddenly started to appear.

The spider, which has a round red body and looks like a baked bean, is called the Woodlouse Spider due to this being its main source of food. The most distinguishing characteristic of this spider is its enormous jaws, which it uses to pierce the hard shell of the woodlouse. It is a European species which has traditionally resided in the Southern part of England before starting to move further north ten years ago.  The BugWorld Experience in Liverpool has seen a dramatic rise of these spiders, as concerned members of the public have been bringing them to the UK’s only insectarium for advice.

Jenny Dobson, General Manager at the BugWorld Experience is quick to reassure, however; “The spiders are not dangerous but they are one of the few species in the UK that can bite humans. Although their venom is very weak, their bite can be painful due to the strength of their jaws, so I do suggest if you find one in your home you do not touch it.  The Woodlouse Spider is found mainly under logs in warm places, usually anywhere where woodlice might be as they feed almost exclusively on them. However, here at the BugWorld Experience we are finding more and more people in the North of England are finding them in their houses and gardens and calling us due to their red body which is often associated with more dangerous species. If you do find one of these spiders and are concerned as to what to do then please do call the BugWorld Experience as we are more than happy to help.”

The first insectarium in the UK, the BugWorld Experience, shows visitors the world through a bug’s eyes, testing their bravery, wit and skill with interactive challenges and games along the way. Guided through simulated environments from a rainforest to a savannah to the everyday British home, visitors will see, find out about and even interact with the bugs that inhabit each.    For more information please visit:- bugworldexperience.co.uk.  Also why not visit our video archive to find out more about the venue by clicking here now.

MAIL STRIKE PROVES ONLINE SHOPPING IS THE WAY FORWARD

AS thousands of Royal Mail workers prepare to strike this week, online shopping directory Shopsafe.co.uk believes consumers will buy more items over the internet to combat the lack of mail delivery in the lead up to Christmas.

The Christmas rush is fast approaching and Shopsafe.co.uk says people will look to retailers that deliver by other means to ensure their gifts arrive well ahead of time. With over 4000 stores listed on its website, the internet shopping portal is aware of the damage a lack of a postal service can have on the lives of people.

The strike could disrupt the festive period with a potential backlog of parcels, letters and packages for Royal Mail to deliver on time. But Shopsafe.co.uk argues shoppers are moving to the internet for their retail requirements, especially at Christmas. Despite a reportedly quiet September for online sales, blamed in part on the Royal Mail strikes and high street discounts, a 15% year on year rise in e-retailing is still expected in the build-up to Christmas. In December 2008, UK shoppers spent more than £4.67 billion online.

Simon Crisp, Director of Shopsafe.co.uk, said: “We expect to see many retailers switch from Royal Mail if they have not already. This proposed action will be extremely damaging to the postal service and the consumer, however we would call on all retailers to move away from Royal Mail and find another avenue for postal services. The consumer is really key...  Consumers are increasingly keen at this time of year, to ensure they buy their Christmas presents well in advance. Understandably this is a serious issue for consumers and retailers alike. Many of the 4,000-plus retailers listed on Shopsafe.co.uk ship through an independent firm or courier and the gifts or items are distributed direct from the retailer to the consumer, or any address the consumer chooses.”  Traditionally there is a rise at this time of year in online sales and we expect this trend to increase even more so as any proposed strike by Royal Mail bites. This can be an incredibly frustrating time for any shopper either buying or sending parcels, letter or anything through the post.  If you were to go into a Marks & Spencer or a Next store on the High Street and buy a gift for Aunt Doris, it would take longer to then wrap it and post it than to buy it online and send it directly to her.”

Statement by Arlene McCarthy MEP on the GM decision to keep ownership of Vauxhall

ON 4 November 2009, North West Euro MP Arlene McCarthy welcomed GM motors' decision to keep its European car manufacturing  division, including the Vauxhall brand based in the UK.  Arlene said:- "Thousands of local jobs around Ellesmere Port depend on the Vauxhall site and as the local Euro MP I have  worked hard to defend these jobs. The Vauxhall plants are lean and efficient operations and their workers cannot be  sacrificed in the interests of other EU countries. I have repeatedly made clear in the European Parliament that attempts  by the German Government to arrange a sale to Magna must not be allowed to put efficient UK workers' jobs at risk. The  decision by General Motors shows that we were right to be sceptical of the Magna deal. GM must now quickly publish their  plans for the future of the Vauxhall plants and I welcome the UK Government's commitment to support viable long-term production at Ellesmere Port."

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