A council has asked its residents to water trees in parks and on pavements amid fears they could perish in the heatwave.

After worried locals posted photographs of dried-out plants on social media, Wandsworth Council has put out an appeal pleading for volunteers to join in with the watering effort.

The dry June had one of the lowest rainfalls on record for London, causing plants to suffer.

The tree manager for the council, Pat Langley, said: “This hot spell has really dragged on for quite a long period of time and whilst older, more established trees are better placed to withstand the heat and lack of rainfall, newly planted younger ones are a bit more vulnerable to these hot and dry conditions.

"This is one of these rare instances when mother nature could do with a helping hand so if you have a tree in your street that looks dry and parched, please give it some water. You’ll be doing your neighbourhood proud if you do.”