A schoolgirl spent four days in hospital suffering from terrible burns to her legs caused by a common plant growing next to a North-East river.

Now her parents are campaigning to make people aware of the threat caused by this plant, and council workers have cleared the site of the menace.

Ayla Celik, six, was walking by the River Tees at Broken Scar, Darlington, when she picked up a leaf of giant hogweed to clean her leg.

Over the next two days, marks caused by the plant developed into agonising and blistered sores.

Staff at Darlington Memorial Hospital were baffled as to the cause and the girl's symptoms continued to worsen.

Eventually, Ayla was admitted for treatment.

Two weeks after the incident, Ayla, who lives in Pierremont Gardens, Darlington, is still making regular hospital visits.

It was only a chance conversation between her mother, Heather, and a family friend that tracked down the cause of Ayla's injuries.

Mrs Celik said: "I was talking to a friend and her husband said it was classic giant hogweed symptoms. He had noticed the plant at Broken Scar.

"As he used to be a countryside warden, he had informed the council of its presence and told them to remove the plants.

"We have since been in touch with the council and they have assured me they are going to produce information leaflets.

"I would like to see some warning notices displayed and information provided to schools and hospitals to create more public awareness.

She said she wanted to "stop other parents going through the level of distress we did and any child going through the pain and anxiety that Ayla has been through".

Mrs Celik said: "She had to have morphine at one point to have her bandages changed.

"The hospital did not know what it was and, if it had not been for a chance conversation, they still would not know."

A council spokesperson said: "We are aware of this case. This is the first incident of this kind that we are aware of on our land.

"Steps have been taken to clear about 200 yards at the site.

"We have removed all that we can reasonably reach. Generally, we clear two metres either side of footpaths where we can but Broken Scar has a more open aspect.

"We will continue to monitor the situation and, if we need to take further action, such as putting up warning notices, then we will."