IT is not illegal to have Japanese knotweed on your property but if you find it you are responsible for stopping its spread.

The nuisance plant has caused misery for an untold numbers of homeowners across the country and can lower the price of a house if it is not removed.

It is a not-native species to the UK and can grow at rapid speeds, spreading particularly well in long open spaces such as railway lines or canals.

In wild areas it can cause ecological harm by taking over and covering natural plants which are needed as part of the ecosystem.

Cllr Adele Warren, Bolton Council’s executive member for environmental service delivery, says she has helped a number of residents who have battled with knotweed in their gardens.

“The problem is that it’s so difficult to eradicate,” she said.

“It can take years of treatment and if a tiny piece of it breaks off it can cause other plants to grow.

“You can’t put it in your green bins either, you have to take it to a specific facility to remove it.”

If you spot Japanese knotweed growing on council land it should be reported to a representative from the authority.

The council will then treat and remove the weed if it is growing within five metres of someone’s home or if it poses a threat to sensitive wildlife habitats.

It will also be removed if it has been found in an area which is designated for mowing or in an ornamental area.

Although it is not illegal to have the plants growing on land you own, it could result in prosecution or a community protection notice if you allow it to spread.

“The other reason that we see so much of it is that it is spread accidentally by people in moving soil around but not understanding what they are dealing with.

“We see an awful lot of sites where someone’s had an appalling attempt at getting rid of knotweed.”