A COUNTRYSIDE killer is being targeted in a campaign.

Ragwort is one of the most frequent causes of plant poisoning of livestock and can prove fatal, causing irreversible liver damage in horses, cattle and sheep.

Hambleton District Council is urging landowners to help wipe out the yellow flowering weed from fields and grass verges.

Environmental health chairman Percy Featherstone said: "Ragwort is a killer. It must be destroyed as the seeds can lie dormant for up to 20 years.

"We are urging landowners to be extra vigilant. Animals can be at serious risk. Once the clinical signs of poisoning appear in them there is nothing that can be done to save them."

He said ragwort should be pulled out at the root and burned to ensure it is destroyed.

Ryedale District Council has backed the campaign and environment chairman Elizabeth Shields said: "Everyone must take responsibility for clearing ragwort from their land.

"It is vital that people pull the weed up as soon as possible and ensure that they destroy the plant."

Ragwort on grass verges can be reported to North Yorkshire County Council on (01609) 780780, and on agricultural land to the MAFF regional office on (01609) 773751.