A GIANT weed capable of growing through concrete walls is plaguing the site of a proposed business park.

Experts have waged war on Japanese Knotweed growing on land in Tanhouse Lane.

Developers The Forward Partnership feared plans to build light industrial units and glass-fronted offices in Widnes would be delayed by the plant, which has also plagued London's 2012 Olympic site, unless action was taken.

"We need to act responsibly now before development is under way as this is one of the major ways it can spread," said spokesman Chris Wright.

"Our main concern is to provide a high quality development which will attract growth sector businesses and create jobs opportunities for the Halton area.

"Before we can even do this we need to eradicate this problem."

Experts say it will take around five months to clear the site of the plant but costs will be reduced by having caught it early.

The infested soil in which the plant spreads its giant seven-metre roots is difficult and expensive to dispose of. Dumping it is illegal as it is classified as controlled waste.

Despite its elegant bamboo-like stems and creamy flowers, Japanese Knotweed is the UK's most invasive plant.

It's ability to grow from pea to road-wrecking size has seen scientists in Japan turn to special bugs to control its spread.

Victorian explorers brought it over here for its beauty but dumped it in the wild when it started overgrowing their gardens.