THE city council has stepped up efforts to remove an invasive plant species which grows along the river bank in Worcester.

Himalayan Balsam, which has bright pink flowers, thrives close to watercourses but smothers other plant life in the area.

Small clumps of the weed can still be spotted along the banks of the River Severn, however Worcester City Council has undertaken an "extensive cull" of the plant this summer.

A council spokesman said: "We carry out an annual cull of Himalayan Balsam along both sides of the riverside in the Diglis area.

"This year we have carried out a more extensive cull than usual, with the help of the Duckworth Trust and Swan Rescue.

"Himalayan Balsam spreads very quickly and it is never possible to eliminate it completely - this is a problem that affects the whole of the UK.

"Himalayan Balsam grows close to watercourses and there are strict rules on how close staff and volunteers can get to the riverbank, based on national guidelines from The Inland Waterways Association.

"Worcester's river bank is very steep in places but this year we have been able to use a long-handled hedge trimmer to cut the balsam back more closely to the water than usual."