Colonies of giant biting spiders have attacked villagers and sparked panic in remote north-east India.

But officials said locals' attempts to treat the painful swelling caused by the bites may be more dangerous than the spiders themselves.

Two bite victims have died in Tinsukia district.

Officials said it is unclear whether they died from venom or from treatment by witch doctors, who cut them with razor blades to drain the wounds.

Doctors at Sadiya town hospital said another seven victims were given antibiotics after they tried to drain their wounds.

Ecologist LR Saikia, from Assam's Dibrugarh University, said the hairy spiders may be a newly discovered tarantula species.