NON-NATIVE plants in the New Forest are choking the rivers and could pose a danger to human health, says a wildlife officer.

Giant hogweed contains toxic sap which reacts in sunlight with the skin to form burning blisters and purple blotches, Catherine Chatters told the Journal.

Because of its lofty height and hollow stems, children sometimes use it as |“telescopes” or “pea-shooters” and, as a result, suffer from painful blistering around their eyes and mouths.

And a variety of non-native species are threatening the Forest’s wildflower |population.

In a bid to stop the spread of Himalayan balsam, Japanese Knotweed, American skunk cabbage, giant hogweed and |parrot’s feather from choking the |waterways the Non-native Plants Project has been launched.

With its colourful pink flowers, Himalayan balsam was introduced to Britain as an ornamental garden plant in Victorian times.

But now the plant is spreading rapidly on the River Avon close to Godshill, with its seeds falling downstream to grow new colonies - endangering the native |wildflowers of the Forest.

And these non-native species grow so vigorously they have spread causing |problems for graziers and fishermen by blocking watercourses and causing |flooding.

Now, volunteers in Fordingbridge and around the Forest will be pulling the dreaded weed from the rivers.

Catherine Chatters, New Forest Non-Native Plants officer at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, , said: “These plants suffocate the rivers and streams and stop our native plants from growing.

“Certain types of these plants can cause nasty rashes and need to be removed from our environment. I am delighted volunteers will be eradicating the Himalayan balsam from this beautiful part of the New |Forest.

“It is so important for landowners to control Himalayan balsam where it is growing along ditches and streams which flow into the River Avon.”

She added: “Luckily, Himalayan balsam has short roots and the plants can easily be pulled up before the seed pods develop.”

The New Forest Non-Native Plants Project is organising a number of events for volunteers to help control the spread of Himalayan balsam this summer, especially along river valleys.

If anyone is interested in helping remove these plants, ring Catherine on 02380 424205.