The great fox-spider has not been seen since the early 1990s and is listed as ‘critically endangered’. But it was spotted at a Ministry of Defence (MoD) training area in Surrey

One of the UK’s largest and most endangered spiders has been spotted for the first time in more than 25 years.

The great fox-spider is listed as “critically endangered” and was feared to be extinct in the UK before it was rediscovered at a Ministry of Defence (MoD) training area in Surrey.

Previously it had not been seen since the early 1990s and had only ever been found at three sites in Dorset and Surrey.

Mike Waite, from the Surrey Wildlife Trust, said he was “over the moon” with the discovery.

He said: “The Great Fox-Spider has not been seen since 1993 and was feared to be extinct. The spider is at the very edge of its range in the UK, which accounts for its super rarity here. This formidable-looking creature is an impressive beast, perfectly camouflaged and also largely nocturnal, and for all its size it has been remarkably elusive.