A number of environmentally conscious residents are calling on the Vale of Glamorgan Council to stop using herbicides to kill weeds growing in Penarth's back lanes.

'Urban plants' are thought to improve biodiversity through serving as pollinators and habitat for small animals.

They are currently removed from lanes and highways by the Vale of Glamorgan Council "in an effective and safe way using an appropriately-approved herbicide".

Town centre resident and flora enthusiast Jess Day last week decided to conduct a survey of the weeds found in the block around her house.

With the help of the online horticultural community iNaturalist, she identified 35 species of plants and 12 unknowns within 200 yards.

"Once I started noticing, I was really struck by the variety of plants growing in the lanes and pavements," she told Nub News. "Spotting and identifying them has really added some interest to my daily lockdown walks.

"As well as providing valuable food source for pollinators, flowering plants provide a welcome splash of colour and nature in an urban space.

"For a few years now we've been letting our lawn grow longer, and leaving a bit more space for wild flowers like dandelions, daisies and forget me nots in our garden, and we've really seen the numbers of insects, and of garden birds, increase.

"A third of the UK's pollinating insects are in decline, so it's good to feel like we're doing our bit to support nature."

She contacted the Vale of Glamorgan Council. They said they would tell their contractor not to spray any herbicide in the area unless they receive any complaints from other residents.

Some others on social media have joined Ms Day in urging the Council to cease use of herbicides and adopt a targeted approach to weed management.

They join a broader movement to end excessive floral management at the expense of wildlife.

An officer from Penarth Town Council said the local authority does not use herbicide and only removes weeds manually "when they pose a risk to property or people". However, the officer acknowledged that the Town Council manages a far smaller area than the Vale Council does.

A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesperson said: "The Council tends to treat any weeds found on the adopted highway in an effective and safe way using an appropriately-approved herbicide.

"However, in certain cases such as this, an alternative approach may be taken in consultation with residents."

Ms Day identified the following plants in her survey:

Dog violet

Petty spurge

Fennel

Hedge mustard

Cleavers

Thistle

Hairy Bittercress

Common daisy

Shepherd's purse

Speedwell

Montbretia

Purple toadflax

Celandine

Dandelion

Scarlet pimpernel

Herb robert

Cornsalads

Buddleia