PEOPLE are being warned to be on the look-out for a killer disease which is sweeping through Burnley's horse chestnut trees.

Burnley Council is having to fell 27 trees in Towneley Park and woods after they became infected with a deadly fungal disease.

The condition, believed to be Phytophthora Bleeding Canker, has made the trees brittle and potentially dangerous due to the possibility of falling branches.

More trees are likely to be felled as the disease spreads.

The felling operation at Towneley will take around two weeks when the operation begins in a matter of days. Council bosses are urging members of the public to steer clear of work areas and keep pets and children under close supervision.

Parks services manager Simon Goff said: "This disease appears to be spreading quite quickly among horse chestnut trees in Burnley and is a cause for concern. There is no alternative but to fell these affected trees for safety reasons and it is likely that further felling will be necessary as the disease progresses."

The national Tree Advice Trust said it was concerned about the disease and that experts were unclear of its cause or how it spread.

The trust believes changes in climate, with warmer winters and wetter weather, are proving to be favourable conditions for the disease.

The disease attacks bark, leaving it vulnerable to infection, the wood brittle, and branches prone to falling off. Symptoms include black tar spots and gum weeping from affected areas, and yellow leaves which may be shed in late summer.

The fungal disease last year prompted Hyndburn Council to fell 27 horse chestnuts in Memorial Park, Great Harwood.

Coun Barry Guttridge, Burnley council's executive member for leisure, said: "Its is unfortunate that we have to fell these trees. However, the council has planted 14,000 new native trees at Towneley during the past seven years."

The council are warning people with horse chestnuts on their land to be on the look out for the disease.

For more information call Keith Wilson, woodlands officer on 01282 664636 or Roger Rawlinson, tree officer on 01282 664635.