Dogsey

An epidemic of blood-sucking ticks may hit Britain this summer after the mild, wet winter gave them perfect breeding conditions.

The countryside has become home to growing numbers of the bugs, which spread the potentially deadly Lyme disease, zoology experts have warned.

Prof Richard Wall, of Bristol *University, said ticks lurked in woods and grassland and posed “a considerable threat” – *especially to dog walkers.

He added: "Ticks are most commonly found in woodland and long grass areas that are regularly used by dog walkers.

“Climate change can certainly be blamed for the increase as the warmer and damper weather provides a good environment for ticks."