A KEEN gardener got a shock when he discovered a toxic plant potentially fatal to humans growing in his back garden.

Bryan Burford, aged 81, was weeding his garden in Old Tye Avenue, Biggin Hill, when he came across a strange plant he had never seen before.

After letting it grow to around 3ft, he found out it was a devil’s trumpet, which is more common in the hotter climes of southern Europe and South America.

The retired former motor trade retailer wants to warn others that similar plants, which are also dangerous to animals, could be growing in the area.

He says he will be contacting Bromley Council to arrange for the plant to be removed.

Grandfather-of-six Mr Burford said: “Obviously I’m taking precautions not to let anyone near it.

“Given the right conditions it could be growing in the allotment or the recreation ground nearby.”

Mr Burford believes the seed for the plant is carried by birds and then dispersed in their droppings.

Botanist Jan Hendey, who is a member of the Orpington Field Club and Kent Wildlife Trust, confirmed the plant was a devil’s trumpet.

She said: “There are an awful lot of plants in that family which are toxic.

“I’m not saying a small amount on the hands would kill someone but it might make them feel very ill.”

A council spokesman said the matter would need to be referred to specialists at the Environment Agency.

WHAT IS A DEVIL’S TRUMPET?

Latin name Datura stramonium, the plant is usually found on wastelands and in rubbish dumps.

It contains dangerous levels of poison which if ingested can cause delirium, violent behaviour, amnesia and even death.

South American Indians were thought to have used poison from the plant on the tips of their spears.

In the last year alone, the plant has been found in gardens in St Albans, North Yorkshire, Hampshire and Suffolk.

It also featured in the first of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter books as the devil’s snare.