Work scheduled to remove toxic plants from ponds

The city council said the treatment process to eradicate the poisonous plants would start in April

Work to eradicate toxic hemlock plants found at a beauty spot will start in April, a city council said.

Visitors to Holywell Ponds in Longthorpe, Peterborough, are being warned to take caution after the plants were recently identified on the land.

Hemlock, which looks similar to cow parsley with clusters of big white flowers, a tall slender stem and green leaves, is one of the most toxic plants to humans and animals, and can be fatal if ingested.

Peterborough City Council said it was "working to eradicate these nuisance weeds", with dead stems professionally cleared from the site in January.

Signage has been placed around Holywell Ponds to warn visitors of the toxic hemlock plants

The ponds are tucked away on the edge of a residential area and remain open to the public.

Signage has been installed to raise awareness and offer safety advice.

Visitors have been advised not to touch or ingest the plants, or allow children or dogs to run through long vegetation.

A spokesperson for Peterborough City Council said: "The first treatment with herbicide is scheduled for April.

"The treatment process requires letting the hemlock grow a bit to allow the chemical to work effectively."

Hemlock, of the type pictured here, can cause a rash on the skin or burning on the eyes