Council's reassurance after 'murder hornet' sighting fears

The dangerous hornets, which can be up to 4 centimetres in length, can be deadly for humans - meaning any sightings should be reported immediately for confirmation.

Concerned local residents have been taking to social media to report possible sightings, along with pictures of large hornets captured in their homes.

The main characteristics which distinguish them from their less-deadly European counterparts are their yellow legs and orange bands on their body.

If you believe you have seen one, you can report it via the Asian Hornet Watch app, which will also help identify the species.

The interactive app, developed by the Great Britain Non-native Species Secretariat and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, will also make it easier for people to judge whether an insect may actually be an Asian hornet; with pictures available of other insects that it could be confused with.

There is helpful information about their size, appearance and the times of year they are most likely to be spotted..

A spokesperson for Ashfield District Council said: “We appreciate residents’ concerns, however we have no reason to believe that these hornets are in Ashfield.

“If anyone does think that they spot one please use the Asian Hornet Watch app to record the sighting, it can also help with the identification if you are unsure of the species.”