A TOXIC plant that can grow bigger than 20 foot and cause serious burns has been found at the side of a road.

The Giant Hogweed can cause horrific burns and blisters if touched and has been spotted growing across the country this summer.

It was thought Sussex had escaped the wrath of the weed but it has been found growing in Pevensey.

The plant has been cordoned off by Highways England.

A spokesman for the agency said: “The Giant Hogweed plant on the layby of the A27 near Pevensey Roundabout was identified by staff, has been spray treated and has been coned off until it has completely died back.

“We would ask people never to go beyond coned areas as these are there for your safety.”

The authorities are taking steps to destroy the pest which is generally found near rivers.

Contact with the plant causes the skin to blister forming painful lesions with the effects continuing for years afterwards.

The plant was initially reported to Sussex Police on July 10 by a motorist, but the force referred it to Highways England.

At 20ft in height with dinner table sized leaves, Giant Hogweed is an impressive weed that was once planted in many gardens.

However, it is highly invasive and has spread throughout the Great Britain, primarily favouring river banks but also other areas such as parks, cemeteries and wasteland.

The sap of Giant Hogweed contains toxic chemicals known as furanocoumarins.

Last week, a national newspaper reported Welsh caravan park bosses would be the first to face a court case regarding the plant after a seven-year-old boy was scarred for life.

The unnamed youngster was left with painful burns on his upper body, arms, feet and chest after several giant hogweed plants were growing by a pond in the park.

The child had picked up a branch while playing nearby.