More than 1,000 trees have been planted by school children in Danson Park despite neighbours concerns of a 'mini forest' being grown.

Pupils from Hook Lane and Sherwood primary School planted 1,200 young saplings, all under one metre tall, in the south of the park backing onto Radnor Avenue.

The council hopes 400 of these will grow into mature trees over the next 20 years.

All together, the council will be planting 2,400 trees in the park, including Field Maple, Common Crab apple, Mountain Ash and Bird Cherry, replacing larger growing woodland trees like Oak, Elm and Poplars that once grew there.

Cllr Peter Craske, cabinet member for community safety, environment and leisure, said: “Planting new trees helps to make Bexley even greener, as well as more welcoming to local people and visitors. The wide variety of smaller trees we’re adding to Danson Park will provide new habitats to attract a variety of wildlife and bring a healthy, balanced woodland area to the south of the park.

“We have made sure the trees are a good distance from the housing next to the park and we’ll be working to maintain and gradually thin out the new trees with the aim of establishing 400 of the strongest.

“Over time, trees die or become diseased, so it’s been great to involve local school children in planting new trees that will reach maturity when they become adults with their own families. This has got to be one of the best ways of caring for Danson Park and ensuring it continues to be home to a rich variety of native trees.”

Concerned neighbours in Radnor Avenue recently started a petition against more trees being planted, claiming the additions would mean sacrificing open spaces used for children and pet owners.

One neighbour said to News Shopper: "This park has always had children playing in it. They're going to plant thousands of trees in an open area.

"Where they are planting them it is open space, that will be taken away. Once that is gone, it is gone."

The council said that not all the trees planted will survive, with an expected failure rate of 40 per cent in the first two years.

Another event will take place on January 27 for the last of the new trees to be planted by Rotary and Scout groups.