Its immaculate green blades have been maintained for centuries and its 'keep off the grass' signs even inspired one of Pink Floyd's most famous songs.

But the pristine King's College Chapel lawn in Cambridge will now be trodden on for the first time in 300 years, as the university plans to turn it into a wildflower meadow in a bid to tackle climate change.

Sloping down to the River Cam, it has become an iconic view for visitors since the 1700s and trampling on it was strictly forbidden.

So famous is the green that rock band Pink Floyd, some of whose members grew up in Cambridge, mentioned it in their 1973 hit Brain Damage, singing: "The lunatic is on the grass. Remembering games and daisy chains and laughs. Got to keep the loonies on the path."

However, the 'keep off the grass' signs will now be removed and there are plans to mow temporary paths so students can admire the "biodiversity-rich ecosystem" that gardeners are hoping to cultivate.

Head gardener Steve Coghill said the meadow should bloom between May and July, sprouting harebells, buttercups, poppies and cornflowers.

He told The Telegraph: "Here we are in the 21st century and King's College is always known as being progressive.