Snakes (not so) alive!

If they're terrified of tarantulas (who isn't?) or frantic about flying - chances are they've 'learned' that phobic behaviour from you. Experts say we should keep our behaviour under check, so that kids don't pick up the wrong responses.

The most common phobias passed on to the next generation in that way are fear of heights, then spiders, then flying, followed by snakes, small spaces, the dentist, germs and the great outdoors.

Talking of snakes - did you hear about the lady in Scotland who called out the Scottisgh equivalent of the RSPCA to get rid of the snake in her loft?

It was green and black with a bright red tongue.

It turned out to be a draught excluder.

But her fear was real.