Nature conservation sites across the borough will get top class care after a £160,000 grant was secured.

The Forestry Commission awarded Richmond Council the money to carry out woodland maintenance over the next five years.

Work will begin on April 1 and under the grant scheme must be finished by March 2019.

Areas to benefit include Barnes Common, Beveree Wildlife site, Crane Park, East Sheen Common, Ham Common, Ham Lands, Leg O’Mutton , Petersham Common and Terrace Fields.

Cabinet member for environment, Councillor Pamela Fleming, said: “We now have a wonderful opportunity to make the capital’s greenest borough even more beautiful.

“We know how important the environment is to our residents through extensive consultations such as the All in One survey, in which residents indicated that their number one priority is our picturesque parks and green spaces.

“The funding we have secured will ensure we continue to maintain and improve these special areas that do so much to enhance the borough.”

The grant adds to the £120,000 given to the council from the Natural England Higher Level Stewardship Scheme to carry out woodland and shrub management over the next 10 years.