A tree's new foster parents have dedicated its life to a neighbour who died last year.

Sylvia and Gordon Bailey are the 100th 'parents' to sign up for Sutton Council's unique tree fostering scheme.

The couple have planted a cherry tree in Chalcot Close, Belmont in memory of their friend Helen Bygraves, 95, who died days before the Queen's Jubilee.

Mrs Bailey said: "Helen Bygraves was a lovely woman. We all really miss her and it was especially a shame because she was really looking forward to the jubilee."

And Mrs Bygrave's son, Colin, said: "It's really touching that the people in the Close where she lived for so long thought so much of her. I’I'm sure she would have been very pleased."

Each tree costs around £60 to buy and a further £25-30 to plant, but the borough saves up to £135 as residents take care of the watering and make sure the saplings stay healthy.

Sutton boasts around 190,000 trees of which approximately 21,500 are on the streets.

The fostering scheme replaces trees that have had to be cut down in streets.

Councillor Jill Whitehead, chairwoman of the council's environment and neighbourhoods committee, said: "This is an excellent example of the council and residents working together towards a common purpose."