The 25-year-old, from Queensland, Australia, has severe arachnophobia, and was increasingly finding the spiders at Wheelgate Adventure Park a problem. Now the attraction has enlisted a hypnotherapist to help her get over her fear.

Sarah said: "I was so excited when I was offered the job as zoo-farm manager. I need to be able to assist my staff fully and suffering from arachnophobia is a major problem for me. I spoke to the management to see if they were willing to help me beat this problem and after experiencing the extent of my phobia they agreed."

Sarah arrived in the UK three months ago and landed the job at Wheelgate Adventure Park, Farnsfield, which exhibits several large tarantulas. The park was aware of Sarah's phobia when she was given the job.

Matt Bendall, from park operations, said: "With extensive developments of the new zoo- farm and the arrival of new species of spiders, we now feel it is important to assist Sarah in overcoming her fear.

"We will do everything we can to support her and have enlisted a hypnotherapist to help Sarah combat this problem."

Once cured, Sarah hopes to be able to help other members of staff handle the spiders. Team leader Simon Lockett said: "We have regular workshops throughout the day that involve handling spiders. Unfortunately I have to run most of them due to Sarah's phobia, but I have to admit it would be great if she could give me a hand once in a while. Staff at the park are all very supportive and we have vowed to make a spider-woman of her yet."

Arachnophobia is the most common of all phobias, and is thought to affect around half of all women and ten per cent of men.

Phobia specialist and hypnotherapist Stefan Richards will work with Sarah to conquer her fear.

Stefan said: "Arachnophobia is a real, serious problem for many people. It can become an obsession, affecting their everyday lives in unmanageable ways. I am extremely confident that Sarah will be handling the park's tarantulas in no time. Phobias are relatively easy to treat – I have successfully cured many arachnophobics."