Image caption,

Daniel was stung after retrieving a football in Boston Manor Park

By Harry Low & Rebecca Cafe

BBC News

A man been left with potentially lifelong scars after touching what is described as Britain's most dangerous plant.

Daniel Logan stung his ankle on a giant hogweed in Boston Manor Park, west London, while retrieving a football.

Toxic sap from the weed, which grows near canals and rivers, can increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight, often leading to burns.

"It's been terrible to be honest," Mr Logan said.

"Now I know, it will never happen again," he added. "But I'm lucky, I'm 21 years old and it's only my ankle."

Image caption,

Mr Logan's ankle needs to be covered for up to six months

"If a little kid falls in there, gets it on their face or something, that's going to cause them life-changing injuries so I'm lucky but someone else may not be.

"If I had seen some signs I wouldn't have gone down into the bush. I've only gone in to get the ball for my brother but if I was made aware what it was and what it could do to you, I definitely wouldn't have gone in there."