Ash survey in Leadhills and Lesmahagow

Forestry Commission officials are identifying sites across the country with the disease, which kills ash trees.

They have worked round the clock carrying out a survey of 2,730 ash sites in Scotlands, and have already confirmed 14 sites with Chalara ash dieback.

The Clydesdale sites are at new plantings near Leadhills and near Lesmahagow.

“At the moment we are not being any more specific than that,” said a spokesman for Forestry Commission Scotland on Monday.

But he added: “There should be no concerns for the public because we are not in the infectious stage for the disease to be spread at this time.

“People can still visit woodlands but they should make sure they brush off leaf litter from their boots.”

For more on this story pick up a copy of the Carluke and Lanark Gazette which is in the shops now.