The latest hotspots of Japanese knotweed in Cambridgeshire have been revealed. 

The invasive species is currently "thriving" ahead of its usual growing period due to warmer and wetter weather this winter, experts have said. 

Japanese knotweed can grow up to four inches a day and forms dense thickets which can kill native plant species. 

Data from Environet shows which areas of the county are currently seeing a break out of the species. 

Peterborough topped the rankings with 24 occurrences reported within 4km of the north of the city.

Meanwhile, seven cases were reported in Ely, six in March, five in Huntingdon, two in Soham, five in Yaxley and two in Wisbech. 

Ian Jackson, from the Great Ouse Valley Trust, said: "Japanese knotweed is really persistent and a problem to remove.

"We know of one site which is sprayed regularly by a farmer but it still keeps coming back. 

"There is also a fenced-off Japanese Knotweed infestation between two houses near the primary school in Park Lane, Godmanchester.

"It’s been fenced off for many years and periodically new knotweed growth appears.

"We assume someone is dealing with it but it is clearly very hard to eliminate."