OFFICIALS are investigating after a walker spotted a poisonous plant on Roman Road, Blackburn.

Mrs Eileen Eastham, of Milton Close, Darwen, was walking along a stretch when she came across the Ragwort plant, which can kill horses and cows by causing liver damage.

It is an offence to allow the plant to spread under the Weeds Act 1959, but the road is unadopted so it has prospered.

Mrs Eastham said: "No one takes responsibility for these fields so the plant continues to flourish. This plant is very dangerous to horses and cattle."

Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said it is looking into Mrs Eastham's complaint.