copses are being planted in Bexley's five Green Flag open spaces, to mark the borough's 40th birthday.

In April 1965, the old boroughs of Bexley and Erith and the urban districts of Crayford and Sidcup and Chislehurst ceased to exist and were amalgamated to become Bexley London Borough.

To mark the anniversary, the council is using cash raised from renting advertising space on the borough's roundabouts and traffic islands to plant the trees.

Copses will be sited in Danson Park and East Wickham Open Space in Welling, Lesnes Abbey in Abbey Wood, Hall Place Gardens in Bexley, and at Foots Cray Meadows in North Cray.

The first of the copses, a mixture of native trees including oak and ash, was planted at Foots Cray Meadows and the rest will follow during the spring.

Environment cabinet member Councillor Joel Briant, who commissioned the copses, said: "I want them to be a living and lasting legacy.

"Each of these copses will benefit not only today's residents, but many generations yet unborn."