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But two councils have explained what residents and visitors should do if they spot the plant growing.
The plant, which produces a harmful sap, can grow in excess of 12ft Jeff Talbot, clean and green manager at Durham County Council, urged the public not to go near suspected Giant Hogweed. He said: “Hogweed is a particularly dangerous plant and our advice to the public is not to go near or touch it. Setting out what steps residents should take, Mr Talbot urged members of the public to report any sightings on public land to the council. He said: “Anyone who thinks they have seen hogweed growing in a public area of the county can contact us via our website.