A Leek mum has warned residents to watch out for an invasive plant that can cause severe burns after her son was left needing hospital treatment after coming into contact with it.

Local resident Kimberley Walker explained that her son received burns on his hand and face after coming into contact with giant hogweed when going to fetch a football that had landed behind the playing fields of his school, St Edward's Academy.

She said that he has now had to receive treatment from a plastic surgeon at Royal Stoke University Hospital and is hoping to raise awareness of the harm the plant can cause.

She said: "Wanted to raise awareness of a very dangerous plant that can burn the skin or potentially cause blindness when coming into contact with it. It's called giant hogweed.

"I didn't know anything about this plant until my son came into contact with it at school, St Edward's Academy. The Hogweed is behind the fence of St Edward's which I think is the Leek Bowling Club. If kids' footballs went over this fence the teachers opened to gate to retrieve their ball, [but] access to this area has now been totally stopped by the school.

"As a consequence of this contact, (just from retrieving his football when it landed in the giant hogweed) he now has burns on his hand and his face which being treated under a plastic surgeon at the Royal Stoke Hospital."

She added that she had asked local councils to remove the plant but that her requests were "falling on deaf ears".

She added: "I asked the school on Monday to send a message to parents to raise awareness, but nothing has been done yet. Parents, I really would encourage you to research this plant to understand what it looks like and please keep your kids and yourselves as far away from this as possible."

Leek Staffordshire County Cllr Charlotte Atkins has now also said that she will alert the county council about the invasive plant.

Giant hogweed is an invasive plant, meaning it is not native to the country, and can grow as high as four or five metres tall, dominating its surrounding area and producing many thousands of seeds per plant.

The plant can be dangerous to humans, causing blistering and irritation if it comes into contact with the skin, particularly if the stem is broken due to its toxic sap.

Many instances of giant hogweed have been recorded in the UK recently due to the hot and sunny weather, and anyone out enjoying the countryside has been asked to steer clear of the plant should they spot it.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) website says of giant hogweed: "Although an impressive sight when fully grown, giant hogweed is invasive and potentially harmful.

"Chemicals in the sap can cause photodermatitis or photosensitivity, where the skin becomes very sensitive to sunlight and may suffer blistering, pigmentation and long-lasting scars."

Anyone who is unlucky enough to accidentally make contact with giant hogweed should wash the affected area of skin immediately, avoid exposing it to sunlight for a few days, and seek medical advice.

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is illegal to plant or cause giant hogweed to grow in the wild.

Leek Nub News contacted Staffordshire County Council, however they said that the removal of the plant would be the landowner's responsibility if it was on private land.

We also contacted St Edward's Academy, but have not yet received a response.