A project that will share the history of Richmond Park's deer has received a grant of more than £30,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The Hearsum Collection, based at Pembroke Lodge, has created Deer in the City to highlight the importance of protecting the royal park's unique landscape and the creatures within it.

The project will outline how deer have become an essential part of the park since it was opened and how they have survived in an urban growing landscape for more than 400 years.

It is hoped the project, which gained £30,600 from HLF, will promote a greater care towards the wild animals and the park environment.

Daniel Hearsum, chairman of the Hearsum Collection, said: "We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund for our Deer in the City project, which focuses on the historic role that deer have played at Richmond Park since Charles I introduced them in 1637.

"It enables us to deliver an exciting programme of interactive activities at the park and also online, including an exhibition and special events."

The programme of activities including an exhibition showing how the presence of the deer had shaped the park in the past four centuries, talks from experts and heritage walks from the Friends of Richmond Park.

Children and families are also invited to enjoy the project with hands-on workshops and arts and crafts related to the deer.

An exhibition of Deer in the City also takes place at Pembroke Lodge from July 2015 to January 2016.

Stuart Hobley, head of Heritage Lottery Fund London, said: "London is one the greenest cities in Europe and our natural heritage is home to an amazing array of landscapes and habitats, and a whole menagerie of plants and animals.

"We are delighted to support the Deer in the City project that will stimulate people’s interest in both the park and the fascinating history of its most iconic residents"

For more information on the project, visit hearsumcollection.org.uk.