People are being asked to be vigilant in reporting signs of Dutch elm disease on the Isle of Man.

The disease is caused by a fungus spread from infected trees to healthy trees by elm bark beetles.

This year’s warm weather has created perfect conditions for the beetles to move between the trees and spread the disease.

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture are asking people to ‘See It, Snap It, Send It’ – if they come across any issues.

Minister Geoffrey Boot says: “By identifying cases as soon as possible, prompt action can be taken to either remove diseased parts or the whole of an infected tree to prevent the disease spreading.

“The disease didn’t reach the Island until 1992, by which time the UK had lost 90 per cent of its elm trees – around 20 million.

“Such was the scale of the devastation in the elm population in the UK and further afield, many authorities are simply resigned to the fact that the disease is rampant.

“The Isle of Man is therefore relatively unique in its proactive focus on prevention of the disease.

“This has involved a vigorous programme of felling and burning over the past quarter of a century.

“Our efforts have been very effective with only around 1% of the Island’s elm trees affected.

“It means we have a relatively large and healthy population of elm trees, enhancing the Island’s biodiversity and our status as a UNESCO biosphere reserve.”

Pictures can be sent via e-mail to dutchelmdisease.defa@gov.im, text message or WhatsApp on 07624 490713, or reported on Facebook.