WHEN it comes to cuddly pets reader Joanne Nelson reckons she has got her fair share — and that includes Arianna the desert blonde tarantula.

She joined the family in June last year and as arachnids go is a placid, pleasant and totally chilled-out pet, explains 41-year-old Joanne.

Joanne gained Arianna from a friend who did not have the time to take care for her and was happy to oblige and take her in to the family's Tonge Moor home.

While most members of the family love Arianna to bits 18-year-old son, Adam, is not keen.

Arianna has helped 10-year-old Mikey overcome his fear of spiders. "I started by encouraging him to watch her in her tank, then he looked at her with the tank open, then he touched her on my hand and then he let her walk on him.

"Now he loves her," says Joanne, who added that 15-year-old daughter, Becky, was also one of Arianna's biggest fans.

Arianna loves to sit on Joanne's hand or arm. "If she was any more chilled out she would be horizontal," she laughs.

Although Joanne has given the arachnid a girl's name until she sheds her skin for the first time they will not know if she is an Arianna or an Arianno.

"I just find her so fascinating. She really is wonderful," says Joanne who also has a bearded dragon called Spikey, a gecko named Darwin, four cats called Felix, Sasha, Ediff and Sparkles as well as a parrot — Suki — and Josie the dog.

Adrianna is still young and not fully grown but the family has certainly grown to love her.

Do you have an unusual pet you would like to see featured in the paper? If so get in touch with Gayle McBain on 01204 537260 or email gayle.mcbain@nqnw.co.uk