WOODLAND experts are battling to prevent a disease dubbed Sudden Oak Death killing a large number of trees in the New Forest.

The Forestry Commission and the Department for Food and Rural Affairs have joined forces following an outbreak of the disease near Brockenhurst. A small number of rhododendron bushes beside the famous Rhinefield Ornamental Drive have been infected.

Officials are investigating the scale of the outbreak and destroying the diseased plants in a bid to prevent it spreading.

People walking in the area are being urged to stay on the paths and keep dogs on leads.

Sudden Oak Death was first found in northern California in the mid- 1990s. Despite its doom-laden nickname the disease, Phytophthora ramorum, is said to pose little danger to English oak trees.

Other species including beech, horse chestnut and sycamore are at risk.

Mike Seddon, the Forestry Commission’s most senior officer in the Forest, said: “We are determining the severity of the outbreak and destroying the infected shrubs and plants to minimise the risk of the infection spreading into the trees.”

Mr Seddon said the outbreak was discovered during routine monitoring for the disease.

He added: “The public can continue to enjoy visiting the Forest as usual. However, we ask that people in the infected area stay on the footpaths, keep dogs on leads and don’t take any cuttings.

There is no risk to human health.”

Fact file

● Phytophthora ramorum is a fungus- like disease that is spread through the air, probably in rainsplash and mist-laden winds.

● Beech trees are the most susceptible but only 26 have been affected since the disease arrived in the UK seven years ago.

● The disease was first found in Great Britain in 2002. Since then a outbreaks have been reported in England, Scotland and Wales.