Tests are being carried out on ash trees at several sites in Kent today to see if they have a disease that has devastated forests across Europe.

The fungus, which has already been confirmed in East Anglia, is feared to be wiping out thosands of trees at sites across Britain.

The Forestry Commission said experts are looking at a handful of suspected cases in Kent.

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson today banned imports of ash trees in a bid to stop the spread of the disease.

Ash die-back, which is caused by the fungus chalara fraxinea, has killed 90% of ash trees in Denmark and is widespread in central Europe.

It was first found in a British tree nursery in February. The fungus has since been found at a dozen other nurseries and parks.

The crisis deepened when the disease was discovered in the wild at two sites last week.

A survey by the Forestry Commission at the weekend found more than 20 "highly suspicious" sites across Norfolk, Suffolk and Kent with thousands of trees apparently dying.

The government body is now urging forest managers and tree professionals to inspect trees again and report any suspected to be infected.

Dr John Morgan, head of the Forestry Commission's plant health service, said: "Although forest managers and tree professionals are well aware of what to look for, we are getting very few reports of problems with ash trees.

"However, we would repeat our advice to use the information on our website, inspect their trees again, and report any suspect trees."

Ash trees make up around 30% of Britain's wooded landscape, across woodlands, hedgerows and parks.