Fireblight disease arrives in Guernsey

A disease that kills the shoots of apple, pear and hawthorn trees has been found in Guernsey.

Fireblight was considered absent in the island, despite being present in most of Europe and the UK. 

People are being encouraged to check their plants and trees to try and reduce the risk of it spreading. 

The disease has been spotted on apple and hawthorn in St Peters, and on hawthorn in the Forest - but experts say it is ‘highly likely’ the disease has spread to other gardens.

Symptoms include the blackening of flower clusters, and the withering of young shoots which may look scorched.