A UKIP councillor has gone to war with a foreign invader – hogweed.

Cllr Garry Harrison, of Chapman Way, East Malling, has noticed an eruption of the potentially harmful plant near a local primary school.

The 44-year-old East Malling and Larkfield parish councillor is now raising awareness of the invasive weeds that have sprouted 100 yards from St James The Great Academy on Chapman Way and along London Road.

The UKIP councillor said: “I fear for local children as there has been little warning of the plant’s devastating nature.

“The chemical found on the leaves can be incredibly harmful, causing severe blistering and in some cases blindness.”

Kent County Council is aware of the issue and will take steps to rid the area of the weed, however due to the warm weather the persistent plant is growing at an accelerated rate.

Cllr Harrison wants to make people aware of the dangerous species, saying he would tackle it himself but KCC had told him to steer clear for safety reasons.

He will be presenting his proposals for greater warning of the weed’s dangers to the parish council.

St James’ school said: “We are aware that giant hogweed is growing near to the school but it is not located on our grounds.

“All children are being made aware of what it looks like and the dangers it poses and parents will be informed.”

Giant hogweed reaches five metres and was introduced to the UK in the 19th century from Central Asia for ornamental reasons.