A WEED poisonous to animals is flourishing in Darwen - and the British Horse Riding Society wants highways authorities to do something about it.

Walker Eileen Eastham, of Mitton Close, spotted ragwort, which when eaten destroys the liver of livestock and horses, on Roman Road, Goosehouse Lane and Bolton Road.

Each plant can produce 150,000 seeds with a 70 per cent germination rate, which can be reduced by cutting the weed before flowering.

Christine Peat, of the British Horse Riding Society, said it was up whoever was responsible for roads, either local authorities or the Highways Agency, to do their bit.

"Over the last few years it has become more and more common," she said. "Local authorities have a programme whereby they don't cut the grass very often.

"It's a huge problem. People should pressure authorities to clear the grass verges and also pressure landowners to get rid of it and stop it spreading."

She said that horse riders had become vigilant to the weed, but that animals' livers were often poisoned gradually by regularly eating small amounts of ragwort.

Affected animals will suffer weight loss, have a dull coat, depression, poor appetite, constipation and sometimes jaundice.

As the liver is broken down and the animal nears death, nervous signs develop, as well as restlessness and unco-ordinated movement. Most die after a period of illness varying from a week to several months.

Eileen said: "Ragwort weed is blooming, filling the countryside and waste-land with its pretty yellow flowers. However, those same plants hold a hidden and terrible danger.

"The juice from the stems and leaves contains an alkaloid poison. If something is not done about it urgently it will take over our meadowland making it impossible to harvest hay or killing much of our cattle and horses.

"It is up to councils and individuals to root it out wherever possible."