Scientists are creating an elm tree map to find out how many of the trees have survived a killer disease.

The Woodland Trust is asking members of the public to look out for mature elm trees and hopes to find 400 throughout Britain this year.

It hopes by studying the surviving trees it can find vital clues to help with future conservation.

In the South of England half of all elm trees were affected by Dutch Elm Disease and had to be felled in the Seventies.

The deadly elm bark beetle has made a reappearance in Brighton, sparking fears of a fresh epidemic.

Earlier this year The Argus reported Brighton and Hove City Council had received almost 380 reports of elm infections in a few weeks.

Officers ordered a batch of beetle pheromone which is used to lure the disease-carrying insect into a trap.

In 1905 there were 20 million elms in Britain but this has dropped to a few hundred.

Elm tree leaves are recognisable by their oval shape and jagged saw-toothed edge.

Elm trees that are too big to put your arms around are likely to be old enough to be logged on the map.

To record a tree visit www.ancient-tree-hunt.org.uk.