Conservationists across Bexley and Greenwich have been shocked to learn of the sudden death of environmental campaigner Jeremy Cotton.

Mr Cotton died alone in his flat Whernside Close, Thamesmead, over the Christmas holiday.

A founder and longest-serving trustee of the London Wildlife Trust, Mr Cotton was well-known and respected in both Bexley and Greenwich for his knowledge and expertise on environmental matters.

He was also a vocal campaigner against projects which would result in the destruction of ecologically valuable areas of land.

Mr Cotton campaigned to save Oxleas Wood from the proposed East London River Crossing in the 1990s and gave public enquiry evidence more than 10 years later against its proposed successor, the Thames Gateway Bridge.

He was a former chairman of Bexley’s LA21 natural environment focus group and was part of the campaign to try and save parts of Erith marshes from redevelopment by Tilfen Land, and to stop the building of the giant waste incinerator on the riverfront in Belvedere.

He also fought unsuccessfully in 2007 to try and save 155 acres of green belt land in Slade Green from becoming a rail freight depot.

A former BBC radio Brain of Britain in 1993 and Brain of Brains in 1995, Mr Cotton helped found a nature park by Tower Bridge, and was a former vice chairman of Greenwich Wildlife Advisory Group.

He helped put together biodiversity action plans for both Bexley and Greenwich and stood as a Thamesmead Community candidate in the 2006 Bexley Council elections.

His family has requested donations in Mr Cotton’s memory should be given to the London Wildlife Trust.