Island snubs 'spider' ship

AUTHORITIES in the US territory of Guam turned away a ship after thousands of spiders were found in its hold.

Hundreds of large spiders and thousands of smaller ones were seen when dockers began offloading insulation and beams for housing units from the ship, the MV Altavia, a spokesman for the Pacific island's department of agriculture said.

The cargo was returned to the ship, and officials ordered it be refused permission to dock.

"When you get this many from this many various sizes, it's definitely an infestation," said dept director Joseph Torres.