BRITONS are more scared of spiders than terrorist attacks and death, a new survey revealed.

Creepy crawlies such as spider, cockroaches and other bugs were voted the nation's biggest fear.

Terrorist attacks came second in the poll of 1,000 British adults.

Also causing a shiver down the spine were snakes in third place, and heights in fourth.

Surprisingly, death came only fifth.

Visiting the dentist came sixth; needles and injections seventh; and public appearances and speeches at work or family events came eighth. Fear of debt was in ninth place, while flying came tenth.

The survey was carried out by researchers at 65 locations across Britain on behalf of Universal Pictures UK Ltd.

It was commissioned to mark the DVD release of the horror movie Van Helsing, which stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale.

Commenting on the findings, psychologist Donna Dawson said they were not surprising.

"Fear of small creatures that scuttle about on four or more legs is a much more ancient, primordial fear, going straight back to caveman days and what might be lurking in the black darkness of our cave homes which could hurt us," she said.