POTENTIAL sightings of ash disease in and around Malvern are being investigated.

While there remain no confirmed cases of the devastating chalara fraxinea infection in the county, three suspected sightings have been reported to the Malvern Hills Conservators.

One suspected case is in an ash wood on Conservators land near British Camp. The others are nearer the centre of Malvern, one at Poolbrook.

The ash disease outbreak has already been confirmed in nearby Warwickshire and Shropshire and the Forestry Commission is working sevendays- a-week investigating suspected sightings.

There are estimated to be at least two million ash trees in Worcestershire and experts from Worcestershire Wildlife Trust have warned it is “inevitable” the disease will arrive at some point.

Jenny Palmer, deputy conservation officer at Malvern Hills Conservators, said field staff and volunteer wardens are on constant lookout.

“We anticipate many more calls and enquiries in the forthcoming days and weeks,”

she said.

“Unfortunately we do not have the resources or in-house expertise to investigate suspected cases.

“As such we ask members of the public report any suspected cases to the Forestry Commission.”

Worcestershire Wildlife Trust says it has not had any suspected sightings on its land Anyone who suspects a case should check guidelines on the Forestry Commission website before calling 08459 33 55 77.

Anyone reporting sightings on Conservators land is asked to copy in jennifer@malvernhills.

org.uk when reporting.