Cobra to discuss ways of containing ash tree disease

The Government's crisis committee Cobra is due to meet to discuss the growing threat to the UK's native ash trees from a fungal disease.

Cases of ash dieback were first identified in nurseries and recently planted sites, but last month officials confirmed it had been found in the wider countryside in East Anglia.

The disease wiped out up to 90% of ash trees in some areas of Denmark and there are fears that it could be too late to contain its spread in the UK.

The Cobra meeting is taking place this morning and will be chaired by Environment Secretary Owen Paterson, a Defra spokesman said.