Warnings about giant hogweed as it spreads in region

Giant hogweed is spreading throughout the region and has left several people with severe burns. In other parts of the country, children have received third degree burns.

One child unknowingly sheltered from the rain under giant hogweed.

She said, “I was out with my dad fishing, and it was raining and I was underneath a big bush. It didn’t burn straight away. I woke up in the morning and my hands were just pure red.”

Medical advice is to wash immediately with soap and water and stay out of the sunlight - this seems to activate the sap in Britain's most dangerous plant.

We will have a full report later today.