A RARE jumping spider that can leap SIX FEET in the air has been discovered in UK for the first time.

The crafty creepy crawlie - known as an "athletic moss-dweller" - was found at a nature reserve in Cheshire by an excited arachnologist.

It is thought the small bog-dwellers may have survived in the UK unrecorded for thousands of years.

Officially known as Sibianor larae, it was sighted by arachnologist Richard Burkmar in June.

Measuring the size of half a matchstick head, the unique spiders can only just be made out with the naked eye.

Mr Burkmar returned to Cheshire Wildlife Trust's Holcroft Moss Nature Reserve in Warrington with fellow arachnologist Richard Gallon and were able to find more examples of the spider, the Independent reports.

Jumping spider expert then confirmed the species and that it was the first sighting in Britain.

Dr Logunov had named the species after his wife Larisa Logunov following his discovery in 2001.

“We were delighted to hear about all the special discoveries that have been made at our Holcroft Moss Nature Reserve,” said Cheshire Wildlife Trust’s Sarah Bennett.

“The site is particularly special as it has never been exploited and cut for peat; something which is unusual for most peatland in the UK.”

She added: “A number of other rare bog spiders were also discovered during the surveys, including the jumping spider Heliophanus dampfi, making it the only site in England where this has been recorded.

"It is definitely a special site for bog-loving wildlife.”

Last year the Sun reported on a Portia jumping spider using an impressive portfolio of skills to chase her prey.

The Portia spider, found in every from Madagascar to Australia, is able to leap up to 50 times her own body length.