Another heatwave would take terrible toll on trees

Experts have warned that the spell of hot weather could leave London's parks on the verge of an environmental disaster.

Temperatures around the capital have already reached a record 32C this year.

Dennis Clarke, a senior manager with the Royal Parks, said: "Last summer was incredibly stressful for London's trees.

"If we have another long, dry summer we could be in trouble."

Mr Clarke admitted that many trees had been unable to cope with last year's heatwave, and had died over the winter. Graham Simmonds, of the Trees for London campaign, said: "We have planted around 300,000 new trees now, and we are already having to employ teams of full-time waterers to look after them."