Homeowners have been urged to make Merton a greener and tidier place in a pilot scheme to beautify the borough.

Nazir Khan, who lives in Westway, Raynes Park, has launched the Merton Clean and Green scheme, in which volunteers will help residents spruce up their front gardens and drives by giving free technical advice.

Mr Khan said he came up with the idea after the prettiness of his own front drive started to attract people who would stop in the street to take photographs of it.

He said: “We all know making our area look nicer discourages antisocial behaviour and crime, because people can see we are proud of where we live.

“The Bait ul Futuh Ahmadiyya mosque in London Road has also offered to help and ask its members to sign up to the scheme.”

Mr Khan said he wants to get 100 gardens signed up to the scheme as quickly as possible, and hopes households in Wimbledon, Colliers Wood and Mitcham will also get involved.

To sign up call Mr Khan on 07899 884242.

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