More than 2,000 trees have now been planted in Danson Park, with a 60-strong group of volunteers coming together for the second half of the planting work on Saturday, January 27.

Friends of Danson Park, Bexley Police Cadets, local Scout groups, rotary clubs, councillors and residents met to plant the second 1,200 saplings in the south of the park – not long after the first half were planted by local schoolchildren.

Cllr Peter Craske, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Environment and Leisure said: “Our local community groups have been a huge help in making the best use of the Mayor of London’s Greener City Fund for the benefit of one of Bexley’s biggest and best-loved parks.

“Thanks to all the volunteers and schoolchildren who have helped to plant the smaller growing tree species, many more generations will be able to enjoy the natural beauty of Danson Park for years to come.”

About 400 of the 2,400 saplings are expected to have grown into adult trees in 20 years’ time, covering 0.5 per cent of the 75-hectare park.

Bexley’s Tree team said the whips planted by pupils from Hook Lane and Sherwood Primary Schools earlier this month are “doing well”.

Not all of the park’s neighbours were happy with the decision to plant such a large number of trees, and a petition was set up in an attempt to dissuade the council.