GIANT Hogweed has been reported in areas around Neston and Ellesmere Port, raising concern for the residents.
The plant can cause severe skin rashes, burning blisters and long-lasting scars. It is visible in bushes because of its height, the size of the leaves and its flower clusters.
Mark King explained on the social media platform Facebook how he and his wife took their grandchildren for a picnic in the Rivacre area.
He said: “We went nowhere near any of the big hogweed plants but several days later my wife had red spots on both hands and massive yellow blisters.
“After two visits to local doctors who didn’t have a clue, it was diagnosed as giant hog weed by the A&E doctor.”
Margie Hewitt, from Birkenhead, also said that her son-in-law came into contact with the dangerous plant at a park in Little Sutton in 2017.
Dale Aird added that he had spotted the dangerous plant on a path by the Harp Inn around Neston last week.
The Woodland trust have issued the following health advice if you come into contact with giant hogweed: “If you do get giant hogweed sap on your skin, be sure to wash the area thoroughly and immediately. Seek medical advice and do not expose the area to sunlight for a few days.”
Common hogweed is very similar looking to giant hogweed but is much smaller and not dangerous. Its stems aren’t blotchy like those of giant hogweed (their colour graduates smoothly from green to purple) and are ridged, hollow and hairy.
A Cheshire West And Chester Council spokesperson said: “All confirmed reports of Giant Hogweed are placed on a list for eradication treatment and monitoring thereafter.
"As soon as a reported sighting comes in, we inspect to confirm the species is giant hogweed and treat as a priority to eliminate. Residents can report potential cases to Weed control.”
A Canal & River Trust spokesperson said: “We do not have any records of Giant Hogweed around Ellesmere Port.
"Our ecologist recently carried out a survey along the Shropshire Union Canal and at the National Waterways Museum, there is none of this problem plant growing. There might be in the local area, but that is not our responsibility.”
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