An army of caterpillars is eating its way through Colindale's trees and threatens to spread across the borough, according to a Barnet councillor.

Over the past year, Lancaster Close has become home to a growing number of brown-tailed moth caterpillars and, if they become established in large numbers, they can completely defoliate a tree.

Ward councillor Gill Sargeant says the insects have caused as much damage as a plague of locusts.

"Several trees are completely bare, as is a tree behind Cromwell Court," she said.

"They are invading land next to Barnet College and unless the caterpillar larvae are stopped quickly, the invasion will spread throughout the borough."

Mrs Sargeant said that Family Mosaic, the housing association that manages the homes on Lancaster Close, are taking the matter "extremely seriously".

But residents have been told by Barnet Council that the caterpillars are not a health hazard.

"Unless Barnet council take action swiftly, before the larvae hatch, the trees and bushes of Colindale will be infested," Mrs Sargeant added.

A council spokesman said that tree officers were aware of the infestation and were working with the Highways Agency, TfL and Railtrack to coordinate their approach to tackling the pests.

This week contractors will spray trees in the area with a substance which kills the caterpillars and cut down any trees that have been heavily infected to stop them affecting others.

He added: "Although the removal of any trees is undesirable, the council has planted more than 30 trees along Grahame Park Way in the past two years, which will grow to form an effective screen against the railway and the M1.

"We will continue to assess the area following the action to tackle the caterpillars to ensure the outbreak has been controlled, and will look to plant more trees there in early 2009."