THEY’RE green, they’re fearless and they’re taking over your streets.
But these are no Triffids – they’re common garden weeds which have been invading the streets, pavements and walls of Moldgreen.
Heavy rain followed by sun has proved the perfect growing conditions for the marauding vegetation which is returning the concrete and hard surfaces to a state of nature.
Alan Stephenson, 71, of Ravens Avenue, says his street and neighbouring roads have been riddled with weeds for a month.
Mr Stephenson, a former council gardener, said: "They’re overgrowing more than ever. It covers a large area of Moldgreen, not just my street. Some of these weeds are one foot tall.
"It seems the council does affluent areas and main areas but they leave our area.
"The street has been let down. It looks terrible.
"It’s quite expensive to buy weedkiller. If they gave me the training and equipment I’d do it for free."
"It looks like something from Day of the Triffids though the problem is they’re not getting up and moving!"
A spokesperson for Kirklees Council said: "Weeds in Dalton ward were sprayed between June 1 and June 14. "Following this, the weeds take two to three weeks to die and are then dealt with by the street sweepers."
Another invading weed, which can cause blisters and scarring, has been spotted in Kirklees.
Kirklees Council has issued a warning following the spread of giant hogweed in Cleckheaton.
The plant, which originates in the Caucasus, on the border of Europe and Asia, has a sap which can cause severe blisters and scarring.
Giant hogweed was introduced to Britain by a Victorian plant collector, and can damage riverbanks and watercourses.
European countries spend £12bn controlling the plant while Britain has paid £7.5m to contain the highly invasive species.
Giant hogweed, which can grow to five metres in four years, resembles native cow parsley or hogweed.
A spokesman for Kirklees Council said: "Anyone finding giant hogweed is advised to keep away from it as the sap is very corrosive and will burn skin and render it sensitive to ultra-violet light.
"Touching the plant or brushing against it is enough to cause quite serious injury.
"Exposed to sunlight, the sap will cause painful blistering within a few hours of contact and can cause long-term skin problems.
"Contact with the eyes can even cause blindness."