A national trade body is warning Evesham residents to be aware of a toxic plant.

The Property Care Association (PCA) has advised locals to be cautious of giant hogweed, an invasive weed that can cause injury.

Given two wet springs experienced both this year and in 2023, the PCA believes that these weather conditions are favourable for the weed to flourish.

The sap of the non-native weed is extremely toxic, marking it as a health risk.

Contact with any part of the plant, followed by exposure to UV light such as sunlight, can result in severe blistering.

PCA's invasive weed control group technical manager, Daniel Docking, said: "Too often there are reports of people who have been injured after inadvertently coming into contact with giant hogweed.

"Children are particularly vulnerable, as they can encounter the plant while playing outdoors in the summer.

"We reported last year that the wet weather was providing an optimum environment for the invasive non-native weed to thrive, and a repeat of those conditions this year means that plant will take hold once again."

The potential consequences of coming into contact with the plant include a rash, itching, and blisters, with some individuals requiring urgent medical attention due to the severity of the blistering.

The PCA has released an identification guide to assist the public in recognising giant hogweed.

The plant produces a large white, umbrella-shaped flowering head, capable of creating 50,000 seeds per head.

It grows to a distinctive five metres high, with its stem up to 10 cm in diameter.

Sharply serrated leaves grow up to three metres, and the stem is usually covered in blotchy purple markings, with sharp bristles on the stem and under the leaves.

Mr Docking advises the public to maintain distance from the plant during identification due to its toxic nature.

The plant is said to often get mistaken for the UK's native hogweed, cow parsley, or hemlock, though these plants have a small stature and smoother leaves.

The PCA provides more details on invasive weeds on its website: www.property-care.org/homeowners/invasive-weed-control