Danger plant claim is put to council

He asked when the council was going to remove them, as some were in children’s gardens area, but was told in a written reply that Rother was not planning to remove Euphorbias or any other plant from the seafront.

Experts had been appointed to design and procure the new gardens and while Euphorbia sap - in common with that of many other plants - could irritate sensitive skin or the eyes, the likelihood of this happening was “rare”.

Council leader, Cllr Carl Maynard, said: “Although it is recognised that care should be taken when handling Euphorbias - and they definitely should not be eaten - they continue to be part of our everyday landscape due to the popularity of the flower.

“They have never been seen as presenting any special or unusual risk.”

Nevertheless, Cllr Maynard said possible risks had been discussed as part of the design process, and added: “Euphorbias comprise less than three per cent of the soft landscaping and are present in only three of the five mixes used in the scheme.

“Direction was given that all were planted at least one metre back from possible access by children.”

As a supplementary question, Mr Hamilton, of Southcourt Avenue, asked: “Does the council think it would be negligent not to inform Bexhill residents, parents and grandparents in particular, of the toxic potential of the newly-placed Euphorbia plants?”

Cllr Maynard replied: “I don’t fundamentally believe there is any risk through the planting of euphorbia. We take this seriously and the risk is minimal.”

He said many National Trust properties visited by the public included the plant in garden displays, and he was not aware of any problems having arisen through those.