A father tragically died just over a week after being bitten by a "venomous spider", according to his family. Mark Anthony Kirby, from Prescot, Merseyside died on August 2, aged just 38.

His ex-partner of 16 years and mother of his children, Kayleigh Gill, explained Mark had been bitten by one of his pet spiders which he had bought online a few weeks prior.

Days later, the 38-year-old travelled to Scotland with Kayleigh, her partner and sister, for a night away where he complained of feeling unwell. Despite this, Kayleigh said he was still "playing pranks" during their meal in Toby Carvery before they drove back home to Prescot on July 26.

Throughout the following week, Mark complained of flu-like symptoms such as fluctuating body temperature and aching limbs.

On Saturday, August 2, he rang Kayleigh's sister, Kath, who lives on the street over from his flat in Knowsley and complained he was struggling to breathe properly, reportsLiverpool Echo.

Kath rushed to the flat and called 999 before Mark collapsed.

Despite Kath's efforts to help him, when paramedics arrived at the scene around lunchtime, they were unable to save him.

Paying tribute to the dad-of-two, Kayleigh said: "He was funny, caring, outgoing and such a people person. He was a brilliant dad to our two children and was always the life and soul of the party.

"He had bought five spiders online two or three weeks before and was obsessed with them.

"I think he bought them because he lived alone but he was always terrified of insects when we were together. Even though we had split up, we were best friends. He put our children first."

Kayleigh revealed that the post-mortem has thus far proved inconclusive in determining Mark's cause of death, but after the week-and-a-half of symptoms, she and his relatives believe his passing resulted from the spider bite.

Kayleigh said she remains in "complete shock" following his tragic death.

The carer said: "He told me about the bite and I said he needed to go to hospital but he didn't. People shouldn't be able to buy these spiders online, people should need licences to own them."

Mark leaves behind his 18-year-old son Nathan-Mark and 17-year-old daughter Kimmy-Louise.