GREEN-FINGERED residents in a Burley-in-Wharfedale street are keen to weed out a prolific plant which is threatening their prize blooms.

Proud homeowners in St Philip's Drive say their horticultural efforts are being scuppered by the spread of Himalyan Balsam.

The plant, which was imported to British gardens in the 19th century, is thriving besides the beck, which runs at the bottom of their

gardens.

Airborne seeds from the plant - which can spread 500 seeds over a five metre radius - are taking hold and growing in resident's gardens.

Ronald Dawes, 75, who mentioned the problem at a recent Neighbourhood Forum meeting of Burley Community Council, said: "It seeds very easily and it spreads into the gardens. It is very difficult to eradicate it."

Mr Dawes, who is retired, said he has contacted Bradford City Council more than once and asked if they could remove the plant - but to no avail.

He said: "I have been to the council several times. They said they would come and see to it but now it is drying off and it is still there."

Mr Dawes' neighbour, Gordon Flesher, 69, also spoke of their battle to keep the seeds from their gardens.

Mr Flesher, who is also retired, said: "It is a problem in the sense that the seeds from it are all over the gardens. "I have to go over into St Phillips Field and cut it down to try and stop it proliferating into our gardens."

Chris Flecknoe, area co-ordinator for the Shipley Area Panel, said she would look into the matter and see if a solution could be found.