A further case of the tree disease Chalara, also known as ash dieback, has been confirmed in woodland in Dorset, near Dorchester.
Dorset is the 13th county in England where Chalara has been discovered and means the disease has now been confirmed in 557 sites including 198 locations in the wider environment (forests and woodland).
Chalara was discovered in England’s woodland last Autumn as a result of the intensive survey carried out of sites across the UK where ash trees are known to be present.
As the trees are leafing, it is easier to see cases of Chalara and further sites are likely to be identified.
Martin Ward, chief plant health officer said: "We expected to see new cases once the leaves came through on ash trees.
"The better informed we are, the more effective we can be in our work to reduce the impact of this disease and we will be investigating this new case closely."
Other counties where ash dieback has been found are Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Kent, Surrey, West Sussex, East Sussex, Devon, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and Northumberland.
Detailed information and a map showing all locations with confirmed cases of Chalara is available on the Forestry Commission website.
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