A LOG pile that became a breeding ground for beetles has led to the chopping down of 14 elms and put others at risk of disease.

The outbreak of Dutch elm disease is being treated as a “matter of urgency” after it came to light last week.

Experts have warned the city faces a very real threat to its precious elm collection which includes species found nowhere else in the world.

Fourteen trees have been chopped down from around the Westbourne Street area of Hove.

The news comes weeks after the council sent out a warning to residents to be on the lookout for the sale of elms in log piles over fears of the disease spreading.

Arboricultural officers have identified the source of the disease as a pile of logs on private land at Brighton College-affiliated St Christopher's school in New Church Road that had become a breeding ground for the elm beetles.

The log pile has now been destroyed.

Peter Bourne, independent elm researcher and volunteer for Plant Heritage, told The Argus that after catastrophic losses of elms in East Sussex over recent years, Brighton and Hove was “the last bastion” for English elm in the British Isles and Europe.

Significant losses from the city would leave Australia as having the best collection of English elm in a natural environment - despite it being alien to that part of the world.

Mr Bourne fears beauty spots like Cuckmere Haven are at risk of becoming treeless because of elm disease and ash dieback.

There are122 different elm types in Brighton and Hove among a population of up to 50,000 mature and semi mature trees.

Twenty of these are considered to be the last of their types left anywhere in the world.

Key parts of the city including the War Memorial in the Old Steine, Stoneham Park and Royal Pavilion Gardens are dominated by elm.

A Brighton and Hove City council spokesman said: “Our tree experts are dealing with this outbreak as a matter of urgency.

“Brighton and Hove is host to the National Elm Collection, partly because of its excellent track record in elm preservation.

“Whenever residents have work carried out on elm trees it is vital that the material is deposed of correctly by competent tree surgeons or gardeners.

“When purchasing fire wood residents should always check with the supplier that it contains no elm wood.”

For any assistance or information regarding elm trees or identifying suspect logs please email arboriculture@brighton-hove.gov.uk or phone the council on 01273 292929.