British public urged to help map and protect sweet chestnut trees

Campaign aims to teach people how to recognise the tree and signs of the pest and disease that threaten it

The UK's sweet chestnuts are facing a double threat from pests and disease, and the government is calling on the public to learn to identify and protect the trees.

The trees were first recorded in Britain in the 12th century and provide food and habitat for a diverse range of wildlife. However, two problems are increasingly threatening sweet chestnuts: the oriental chestnut gall wasp (OCGW) and a fungus, chestnut blight.