A Mexican red knee spider [ZSL]

LONDON Zoo reckons it can cure 30 of the biggest arachnophobes at a special anniversary event in May.

The question is: are you ready to get up close and personal with Rosie the Bird-Eating Spider?

The Friendly Spider Programme includes a hypnotherapy session and a walk through the zoo’s “tiny giants” exhibition, before a chance to win a certificate for catching house spiders with a cup and card.

The course – which boasts a 99 per cent success rate – ends with the “opportunity” to meet Rosie.

Course leader Dave Clarke said: “Arachnophobia can be a very intense and debilitating fear. Previous participants on the programme have been unable to hear the word ‘spider’ without feeling ill.”

The Friendly Spider Programme’s fear-busting 30th celebration will take place on May 23.

To try and book a free spot visit www.londonzoo.org/friendly before April 30.