Experts are warning that a giant spider stalking Liverpool's streets as a tourist attraction is likely to upset thousands of arachnaphobia sufferers.
The mechanised monster - named La Princess - has been commissioned as a street theatre event at a cost of #1.8m.
Strict secrecy had surrounded the identity of the 50ft wide beast but when it was unveiled there were shrieks of horror from some onlookers.
"La Pricncess" is a major element of Liverpool's European Capital of Culture 2008 programme and it will perform as a series of events the weekend.
One in ten women are said to suffer from a morbid fear of spiders, making arachnophobia the most common phobia in the UK.
And psychologists are warning that most of those who suffer from arachnophobia will find the giant creature "the stuff of nightmares".
Weighing 37-tonnes it made its entrance dangling from the derelict Concourse House office block outside the city's Lime Street Station.
Thousands of people are expected in the city, and streets will be closed off, as the five-day street theatre event unfolds.
Anxiety UK, a charity that works people who suffer from phobias and anxiety disorders warned of the potential impact of La Princess.
Nicky Lidbetter, CEO of Anxiety UK. said: "This spider would be terrifying for someone with severe arachnophobia.
"It seems that the creators of this piece have given little thought to the trauma it could cause.
"Phobias and other anxiety disorders are serious and debilitating conditions, and it is worrying that this is not being considered.
"In extreme cases arachnophobia sufferers are afraid to even look at pictures of a spider, so imagine the terror that this giant model spider will cause.
"I was especially alarmed to read that it will be travelling around the city."
London-based clinical hypnosis practitioner Lynda Hudson said: "Some people would regard this as the stuff of nightmares.
"I would certainly say that if you know your child has a phobia for spiders then they should be kept away from it.
"It would be wise for parents to steer clear of it. It could be quite terrifying for some people - especially children.
Clinical psychologist and Linda Blair, agrees that parents with children would be wise to consider the risk of La Princess triggering a phobia.
Council tax campaigners have also condemned La Princess as a waste of money.
Tax Payers Alliance spokesman Matthew Sinclair said: "Liverpool's Capital of Culture is ultimately paid-for by taxpayers.
"This giant spider is quite bizarre and squandering nearly million pounds on such a short-lived event in the name of art is outrageous.
"Council tax has doubled over the last ten years and quite rightly taxpayers want to know what is being done with their money.
"Who on earth would want their hard-earned cash spent in a mechanical spider? It's bonkers.
"The likes of struggling elderly people expect their council tax to go towards funding of basic services, not extravagant so-called art.
"Liverpool's Capital of Culture seems to be an excuse to squander good money on trivia that should have been used to fund essential local services and amenities."
A spokesman for the Liverpool Culture Company dismissed criticism of La Princess.
He said: "This is the biggest piece of free street theatre ever seen in the UK.
"The city is has been very ambitious in its artistic programme and we have met the public expectation that we will present some really extraordinary and astonishing events.
"Everyone has an opinion about art. If people are talking about it, for whatever reason, that is the kind of reaction that it is designed to stimulate.
"It is all part of the huge success of Capital of Culture 2008."
And a spokesman for Artichoke, the creative company staging La Princess, said: "During the reveal in Liverpool this morning we had a huge amount of positive feedback from locals.
"A lot of people are loving it. The delighted response we have had so far is fantastic. All we can say is that we hope anyone who feels afraid to enter the city centre will change their mind."
On Wednesday night the spider was being lit with floodlights and was said to be hibernating before it sets off around the city - with the hint that there may be eggs and more spiders to come.
*Anyone whose fear of spiders is having a severe impact on their life should get in touch with Anxiety UK or visit the website www.anxietyuk.org.uk.
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