Council halts use of weed killer amid safety fears

Use of a common weed killer has been temporarily suspended by a local authority over concerns about its impact on communities.

Midlothian Council agreed to halt the use of glyphosate weed killers across its services while it investigates concerns about its safety.

The commonly used herbicide is available to buy at DIY stores and gardening centres across the UK. Councillor Colin Cassidy said he had seen the impact with his own eyes after a recent spraying near his home left his driveway “covered with dead bees”.