We were left crying in pain after repeatedly being savaged by false widow spiders at work

"I was crying with pain and they gave me two lots of morphine, and then at 3am they said I had to go to the other hospital.

"I spent a week in hospital and it was just the most amazing stay. It's got this lovely aura because of its magical history.

"I actually feel like I had a holiday there because I lay there and had lovely people tending to me and it was quite interesting watching other patients come in, it was totally fascinating.

"You would have to pay a lot of money to have that same experience - you'd have to go and see a lot of plays to see these stories unfold, I just had a lovely time.

"I'm going to give the hospital £1,000 because I've decided I don't need a holiday this year."

Philip now does 30 minutes of physio a day in a bid to regain movement and grip in his right hand, and he hopes to be back at work next week.

Since his encounter with the fanged fiend, Philip said he'll consider wearing gloves while in the workshop more often but urges anyone bitten by a critter to seek medical help straight away.

Philip said: "I would advise anyone to go on the NHS website to look up their symptoms and get them checked out.

"I will definitely wear gloves a lot more in future and would advise others to as well, especially if you're working in the garden or moving firewood."