RESIDENTS of Malvern who want to help in the fight against a parasite attacking horse chestnut trees on the hills are to get support from the conservators.

The Malvern Hills Conservators agreed at their land management committee that they would offer help and advice to anyone keen to take action in the battle against the moth cameraria ohridella, known as the horse chestnut leaf miner.

Some of the 200 horse chestnut trees on the conservators land - particularly on Link Common and Malvern Common - are affected by the moth. The caterpillars tunnel into the leaves causing a dirty brown appearance in July and August and the leaves then tend to drop early.

Conservators conservation officer Rob Harvard told the committee that healthy trees are not affected in any other way but unhealthy trees can die as a result of the stress caused by the parasite.

He said Forest Research - the research arm of the Forestry Commission - suggests that, if the leaves are burned after they have fallen, it can reduce the visual impact on feature trees. But he said it would be time consuming for the conservators to do this and might not be effective if neighbouring landowners do not do the same.

However, the conservators decided they would support any residents who wished to collect leaves and burn them.

For more information contact the Malvern Hills Conservators on 01684 892002.