‘We’ve got to be rational about fears and phobias,’ say East Devon residents.

PHOBIAS are a common part of the human psyche but it appears East Devon residents have no time for these fears.

Many residents told the Midweek Herald they did not have any serious fears or phobias, although some admitted that spiders, snakes and dogs put them on edge.

Royston Jefferies, 66, of Combe Raleigh, said: “I don’t really have any phobias. I don’t like climbing ladders but there is nothing really specific that I am afraid of.”

Maggie King, 59, said: “I am claustrophobic, so I try to avoid confined spaces.

“I haven’t got a clue where the phobia came from but I wish it would go back.

“I find that I have to be careful where I sit on planes and avoid going in lifts with more than one person in them. I would rather walk up the stairs than ride in a lift.”

Christine Gibbons, 67, of Honiton, said: “I don’t like clowns - I don’t like their faces when they are all dressed up. I can’t stand it as, I like to see people’s faces.

“It started when I was a little girl when I put my doll in the bath, which made the face fade away and from then I just don’t like things like that.

“I don’t like spiders but I’m getting used to them with my grandchildren as you’ve got to be brave.

“If I see a spider, I just wouldn’t want to go near it, I wouldn’t scream, I’d just try to avoid it.”

Margaret Jarman, 63, of Honiton, said: “I have the usual phobias of snakes and spiders.

“I have no idea where it came from.

“I get really panicky but I have got better about it with my children and grandchildren.”

Kathleen Stocks, 73, said: “I don’t like dogs – I would back away from them and cross the road.

“I have no idea where the fear came from, I have never liked them.”

Jake Jordan-Wall, 17, said: “No, I don’t have any phobias. I am a little frightened of spiders but I don’t have a phobia of them.”

Beryl Bodley-Tickell, 70, of East Budleigh, said: “No, I haven’t really got any fears or phobias - I’m quite good really.

“We’ve got to be rational.

“We all just need to rationalise these fears and phobias. Whatever they are, we have still got to move forward.”

Ron Taylor, 65, of Honiton, said: “I haven’t got any phobias – I am alright with all animals and I don’t mind snakes and spiders. There is nothing really that puts me on edge.”