A resident from Tonge Fold has become extremely upset after discovering Japanese knotweed has "invaded" her new retirement garden.

Sue Jackson says that she only moved to the area in September 2021, but it wasn’t until this spring that she saw signs of Japanese knotweed.

She says that is coming from the outside of her fence, and is up against her fence, which has now "invaded" her garden.

Sue said: “I have been in touch with Bolton Council, which is ongoing.

“But it has gone quiet now.

“Cllr Elaine Sherrington said she would take it on.

“I am just hoping that she can kick something into action.

“My house backs on to council land which is overgrown woodland, and the source of the knotweed.”

Cllr Elaine Sherrington said: “It is terribly invasive and caused great difficulty in getting rid of it.

“We have had problems in the area in the past.

“Neighbourhood services said they would try and get this cleared up on the council land.

“I have been a councillor for 23 years, and on a number of occasions we have tried to get rid of it, but it’s difficult.

“I have asked neighbourhood services if the council can go and talk to her and explain what she can do, and I am waiting for them to come back to me

“You can’t guarantee you will ever get rid of it.

“It’s beautiful to look at, but the only trouble is it can grow all over the place.”

In response, a spokesperson from the council said: "We are in the process of procuring a contractor to treat Japanese Knotweed on this site.

“We fully understand the concern of the residents affected and assure them this matter is being dealt with in line with the council’s policy on invasive plants.”

Sue had planned to have her garden redone but can’t touch that area because it’s "like a jungle".

She says this has stopped her from enjoying her garden, and she fears that this could become even worse if it isn’t destroyed.

She added: “Naturally I'm very upset about the situation.

“It will devalue my property and I won’t be able to sell easily.

“Apart from that it is stopping me enjoying my garden and I have to spray the new shoots constantly.

“It’s stopping me from going forward.

“I counted 26 new shoots last week.

“I have to try and put it out of my mind, when this should have been my retirement home.”

She added: “I can’t do anything because it’s still coming through.

“I can’t get through to the back.

“My neighbours are very worried in case it also invades their property.”

Eddie Harwood from Westhoughton previously told The Bolton News that overgrown Japanese knotweed had caused problems for him, as it made its way into his back garden.

He says he is still waiting for assistance to remove it, after raising this last month.

At the time Bolton Council, the local authority, said they are "looking into it" and will take the "appropriate steps if necessary".