Japanese Knotweed has been reported in hotspots across Swindon and Wiltshire.

The invasive plant is the most common of the four knotweed plant species found in the UK and is commonly located near rivers and streams, and in manmade habitats.

Japanese Knotweed can wreak ecological damage and may cause property prices to fall by between five and ten per cent in “severe” cases.

Invasive plant specialist Environet has revealed where the UK’s Japanese hotspots are via an interactive map generated from over 57,000 known infestations, with new sightings added daily.

This tool warns homeowners when the plant is thriving in their area and multiple cases have been reported across Wiltshire.

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The county’s hotspot is Chippenham, where there have been 14 occurrences within 4km, following by Swindon with 13 cases.

There are also multiple reported cases in Trowbridge, Corsham, Marlborough, Malmesbury, Melksham, Warminster, and Salisbury.

Homeowners have a legal responsibility to stop knotweed spreading off their property, but the government has warned the public to find specialist firms rather than treating it themselves.

A spokesperson said: “You must stop Japanese knotweed on your land from spreading off your property.

“You do not legally have to remove Japanese knotweed from your land unless it’s causing a nuisance, but you can be prosecuted for causing it to spread into the wild.”

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