LEWISHAM has won two awards at a ceremony celebrating the environment.

The council was recognised at the London in Bloom awards in central London - an annual competition with a 40 year history.

Lewisham achieved a Silver Gilt award for the fourth year running for its parks, Devonshire Road Nature Reserve and the allotment at Forest Hill School.

It was also the runner-up in the competition’s Capital Growth scheme, promoting community food growing projects across the capital.

Cabinet member for customer services Councillor Susan Wise said: " Without the commitment and enthusiasm of our residents - whether community groups or businesses – we wouldn’t have been able to impress the judges so strongly.

“My thanks go out to all those involved.”