Drivers warned to keep conkers in their cars - or they could face a £2,500 fine

Drivers are being advised to store conkers in their during the dreaded season.

Believe it or not, the quirky method can be used to fend off the . Motorists could face hefty penalties of up to £2,500 and garner nine penalty points for not dealing with promptly, leading to distracted driving. Julie Jamieson, from, spoke to about the creepy crawly issue that plagues drivers, dubbing it a "common problem". "Spiders and other insects lurking in our cars is a very common problem for drivers," she said. "We're keen to encourage everyone to minimise their impact by being kinder to the wildlife simply seeking shelter."

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"While most spiders in the UK are entirely harmless, the sight of one - especially inside the vehicle - is enough to distract drivers and potentially cause unsafe driving," added Julie. Distracted driving due to unexpected arachnid passengers could result in charges of dangerous driving, reports . Fines and points on the offender's licence could also result.

In an intriguing twist, some claim that conkers, better known as the centrepiece in a classic British children's game, may serve as a natural spider repellent. Experts, however, assert that there's no solid evidence of its efficacy. "Conkers is a game familiar to millions across the country but some say that conkers (or chestnuts) are a natural deterrent for spiders," said Julie. "However there's no proof that this is true.

"The story is that conkers contain a chemical that spiders don't like, but it's never been scientists. Drivers could test this out by tying a conker to a string and hanging it around their rear-view mirror. They'll either keep spiders at bay or look like they're a real enthusiast of a game of conkers!"

Research found that although the majority of British car owners say they don't like it when they see spiders on their car, most only "sometimes" get rid of the spiders they see. Other natural spider repellents include lavender, mint, eucalyptus and citronella. Early autumn is branded "Spider Season" because females leave their hiding places to find mates and males look for partners for the winter. As the turns colder, the insects head into homes, sheds and garages - plus cars - to seek refuge.

There are hundreds of species of spider in the UK but only a dozen bite humans and of these, only a couple of bites can be harmful. The venom of UK spiders is not particularly potent. Common house spiders can frequently be spotted - males have smaller bodies and longer legs than their female counterparts. The most harmless way to remove a spider from a house is to trap them in a glass using a piece of card.