Boffins have created the first interactive map to 'track and trace' Britain's booming Asian hornet population writes John Bett.

The map is designed to keep tabs on the killer bugs - also known as Murder Hornets.

They are said to be spreading throughout the UK after arriving from France and the Channel Islands.

The new map will allow gardeners to post where and when they see the lethal stingers - so their nests can be found and destroyed.

Members of the public are being asked to sign up to the map and report any sightings of the hornets.

Vespa Mandarinia, or giant Asian hornets, can be up to two inches long, with a potentially fatal sting that can cause anaphylactic shock in humans.

The venom may not always lead to death, but can cause pain, swelling and kidney failure.

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However, humans aren't the only species the insects are known to target, it also attacks colonies of honey bees and wasps.

A spokesperson from Whatshed, that created the map, said: "Although we advocate for the kind treatment of all animals, the spread of giant Asian hornets is not something that should be taken lightly.

"As well as the very real danger they pose to humans, swarms of so-called Murder Hornets can decimate a colony of honeybees in a matter of minutes, putting our crops and farms at risk if they are able to invade the UK successfully.

"Uploading sightings to this map will ensure that the necessary authorities can be contacted to confirm the sighting and handle the case properly, whilst also enabling scientists to carry out important research into the movements of this species.

"We're asking people around the UK to keep an eye out for these dangerous creatures throughout the year."

To see where sightings have been recorded, plus further information about the hornets or to record your own sighting, visit: whatshed.co.uk/giant-asian-hornet-uk-map