TWO young boys have developed a serious rash after coming into contact with a poisonous plant.

The father of Jonathan and Matthew Tweddle, of Rockingham Street, Darlington has warned other children to beware of the dangers of giant hogweed.

Jonathan, 14, and Matthew, 12, brushed against the plant when they were fishing on the River Tees, near Blackwell, Darlington.

As it was a hot day, they were wearing sleevless T-shirts and the next day their arms were covered in blisters.

Now, more than a week after coming into contact with the plant, the marks are still visible.

Their father, Alan Tweddle, said: "If it had been a two-year-old child walking through them, it could quite easily catch them on their face."

The sap of giant hogweed makes the skin sensitive to ultra-violet light, which result in severe burns to the affected area.

Giant hogweed is a foreign species which prevents native plants from growing.

Under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act it is an offence to plant or otherwise cause giant hogweed to grow in the wild.

A spokeswoman for Darlington Borough Council said: "We are going to get someone to go down there and a look at the giant hogweed and, if it's on our land, we'll get rid of it."