I WOULD like to thank Mr B Andrews (July 9) in highlighting the poison ragwort plant and its spread along the grass verges of Bolton's road network.

Last summer, Bolton Council's Highways Department used a grass cutter to cut the verge of St Peter's Way, thereby releasing millions of ragwort seeds into the surrounding areas of Kearsley, Farnworth, Darcy Lever and Burnden.

The only way to rid this very poisonous plant safely is to pull it out of the ground by hand with strong rubber gloves. The Highways Agency and other councils all use this method of removal.

It is an offence to grow this plant, so Bolton Metro are therefore guilty in law of causing the spread of this plant, which is a killer to horses, cattle and even humans.

Each ragwort plant produces around 50,000 seeds, so look forward to a yellow countryside in years to come.

Miss H Kadim

Bradford Road

Farnworth