JAPANESE knotweed is blighting areas of the Isle of Wight, with particularly high levels in the Luccombe and Shanklin areas.

A new interactive map shows the density of infestations across the UK, showing the Island's hotspots.

In the south east of the Isle of Wight, there are densities of 82 occurrences of the invasive species within 4km.

The notorious plant can grow four inches a day in summer, and its roots or rhizomes spread far underground causing structural damage to buildings.

The interactive map, produced by Environet UK, allows people to search by postcode to discover the number of reported sightings nearby or to report any new sightings.

The tool was created by Nic Seal of Environet UK who said: "This heatmap will enable us to build a nationwide picture of the Japanese knotweed problem and give the general public the information they need to assess the risk locally, particularly when buying a property.

"It will also be a useful tool for homeowners who want to be aware of infestations near their property which could spread, putting their home at risk.

"The site is already well populated, but this is an ongoing project. The more people who report sightings, the more effective it will become."

The Victorians introduced Japanese knotweed as an ornamental plant but it now grows rampantly along railways, waterways, in parks and gardens and is notoriously difficult to treat.

The Environment Agency brands it as "indisputably the UK's most aggressive, destructive and invasive plant".

It can be spotted by red or purple asparagus-like shoots that appear from the ground and grow rapidly, forming hard canes from April or May.

As the canes grow, heart-shaped leaves gradually unfurl and turn green.

It blooms in late summer, when it becomes covered in tiny creamy-white flowers

During the late autumn, the leaves fall and the canes turn brown and die, although they remain standing.

Knotweed costs the UK economy £166 million per year in treatment and in home devaluations.

View the map online at www.environetuk.com/exposed-japanese-knotweed-heat-map.