Danger - Giant …

Its called Giant Hogweed and its on the rampage in Manchester.

All along the River Irwell we have huge stands of Giant Hogweed rapidly expanding its hold on the river frontage. Each year it produces thousands of seeds and hundreds of casualties.

Giant Hogweed will actually burn you. Not only will it burn you if you accidentally touch it, the burn will keep coming back year after year whenever you expose the rash to sunlight.

The sap produced by the plant contains chemicals which will cause blistering and burning of the skin. Children often are the main victims, picking up pieces of the plant and making pea shooters or telescopes from the hollow sections of the tall stem.

And please don’t think I haven’t tried to do something about it!

Every year I warn people on the bridge by the Lowry Hotel that the plants are dangerous…and what do I get back?? Blank faces and abuse.

The Environment Agency are aware but do nothing about it citing funding issues. Landowners do nothing about it because they are ignorant of the dangers.

So every year we the general public run the risk of permanent scarring, blindness or toxic shock. For photographs and identification contact our offices 0161 723 2000.

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