A warning has been issued by a Teesside environmental group regarding a 'toxic' invasive plant which can cause ‘blistering burns’ on people who come in contact with it.

The Tees Rivers Trust has warned giant hogweed, an invasive non-native species which can outcompete our native plants, could be growing earlier than previous years due to climate change.

They added this is due to the increase of wet and warm winters allowing the hogweed to flourish.

They have warned its phototoxic sap causes blistering burns on human skin  - and have said it can be identified through sharply serrated green leaves and splotchy stems with white bristles.

Chloe Lawrence, of Tees Rivers Trust, said: ““Giant hogweed is present throughout the catchment area, we are working as hard as we can to manage it and have made some real headway over the last few years.

“However, there is always work to be done, especially with such a challenging and successful plant.

“We couldn’t do half the work without our amazing volunteers and support from local angling clubs and landowners.

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“If you do come across giant hogweed, please make sure to keep away from it, and report it through INNS Mapper or iRecord to make sure it goes to the right people to deal with.”

They said the species is often found along waterways, something which makes it easier for its seeds to spread.

The Trust has also said the plants can grow up to 5m tall as the weather begins to get warmer in the spring and summer months.