BRITAIN’S ‘most dangerous’ plant has been reported in an area of Warrington.

‘Increasing amounts’ of giant hogweed are appearing across Lymm.

This is particularly near sources of water, say Lymm Parish Council.

The plant is an ‘invasive species’ and even just lightly touching its sap can pose a considerable threat to both human and animal health.

It is described as looking like an ‘enormous cow parsley plant. When it is fully grown, it can reach towering heights of between 1.5m to 5m and have a spread of between 1 and 2cm.

It forms a rosette of jagged, lobed leaves in the first year before sending up a flower spike in the second year and then setting seed.

The parish council has advised people to not try and treat the plant themselves as they say this requires specialist knowledge.

Instead, people are being asked to report it to the council by visiting here: https://www.warrington.gov.uk/grass-cutting-and-dangerous-weeds