Kingston Council is introducing wildflower meadows to eight roads in a bid to improve biodiversity in the borough.

For the year of the Wildways pilot scheme, grass on highway verges will be allowed to grow longer, reducing the nutrient level in the soil below.

This means that when the grass is cut there is more room for wildflowers to grow, which will help meadow-like areas flourish on the verges.

Wildflowers are not only colourful and lovely to look at but also ecologically important in providing a place for pollinators like bumblebees and butterflies to forage.

This new method of verge management will also improve the health of the soil by Kingston's highways.

Sarah Ireland, Executive Director of Corporate & Communities, Kingston Council, said: "We want to create environments in which both people and wildlife can thrive alongside one another.

"In 2019, almost 400 residents had their say on how they would like to see our green spaces managed in the future, with overwhelming support for 'natural not cultivated' wildlife-friendly adjustments.

"WildWays is one of many new practices we have begun to roll out across the borough in support of this new vision.

"Other initiatives include: introducing biobeds (raised beds planted with robust species to support urban pollinators), supporting the establishment of new community orchards and piloting traditional grassland grazing."

Here is where the meadows will be located.

- Kingston town: Tudor Drive Junction with Latchmere Lane (large site) and Cambridge Road Gardens (small site)

- Surbiton: Langley Avenue Roundabout (large site) and

and Dickerage Lane (small site)