Watch out for the yellow peril! This week a major campaign to eradicate a killer weed gets underway.

The bright yellow ragwort that can be lethal to animals has been spotted in fields in Croydon, including Farthing Downs and Riddlesdown Common and volunteers from the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) have been removing the offending weed.

The campaign to hunt out ragwort is headed by RSPCA Inspector Gary Lucas who asks all animal lovers to report sightings to local councils.

"Every plant can produce millions of seeds so it is important to control it before the seeds spread," said Insp Lucas.

"Ragwort can lead to a very unpleasant death for animals."

Animals are vulnerable both when the plant is fresh, and when it is dried and gets caught up in hay or silage.

If it is treated with weedkiller, every trace of the plant must be removed because it becomes particularly palatable to animals at that stage.

Horses, ponies and cows are very vulnerable to ragwort poisoning although other animals can be affected.

To find out more about ragwort call the BTCV on 0181 760 5405 for a free leaflet.

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