Hogweed agony for 11-year-old in park
A SCHOOLBOY was left in agony with horrific blisters after he came into contact with poisonous giant hogweed in a popular park.
Lorna Percival, 32, rushed her son Adam, aged 11, off to hospital after he suffered blisters on his leg caused by the plant.
The youngster came into contact with nettles while playing with a friend at a park in the Barrhead, East Renfrewshire.
But he then rubbed giant hogweed on the sting, causing more damage to his skin.
Mrs Percival has called on East Renfrewshire Council to remove the plant before another child is hurt.
She said: “All the council has done is spray the plant with weedkiller, but that could take weeks to work.
“I’m worried it will grow back and continue to be a hazard for kids here.
“I want them to dig it up by the roots and take it away.”
Adam was stung nettles at the park.
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He proceeded to rub what he believed was a dock leaf on the wound in the hope that it would take away the pain.
A spokesman confirmed that the hogweed is present at a strip of high grass next to a burn at the park and that it has been treated with weedkiller.
He said: “The grass is there to stop children getting close to the water and this has proved successful for a number of years.
“We are scheduled to check and re-spray the area in June and will monitor the area closely this summer.”