London elms make a comeback

Elm trees will soon grace London's streets and parks again, thanks to a £50,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Dutch elm disease killed more than 25 million trees in the Seventies. Hyde and Greenwich Parks were among many in London where whole avenues of the trees were infected.

Some varieties proved slightly more resistant than the English elm, and it is these types the foundation intends to plant.

The grant will also enable the foundation to launch a major survey throughout London to find out where other elms still survive.