Former arachnophobe dresses up her pet tarantula to help others get over their phobias

If you're afraid of spiders, you might not want to see this. Then again, it might help you.

Cassandra Tainsh used to be terrified of spiders, but now she can't get enough of them.

That's thanks to her Chilean Rose tarantula, Pandora, who helped the 23-year-old from Leeds in England to get over her phobia about four years ago.

Cassandra, who started collecting animals when she was 16, visited a rescue centre where she was persuaded to hold Pandora to get over her arachnophobia.

She told barcroft.tv: “It was so cute and fluffy I thought if I can hold one I can definitely own one.

"Ever since I got my first tarantula, Pandora, I’ve branched out and got 19 spiders, all different shapes and colours."

Now she posts pictures of Pandora online shopping at a supermarket, trying on hats and skateboarding to help other people get over their phobias and it has turned the furry arachnid into a viral hit.

Cassandra also has 23 snakes, seven lizards, five African giant land snails and a scorpion - as well as her more usual pets - 12 cats and four dogs.

H/T: Barcroft.tv.