Sir David Attenborough has spoken out about the dangers facing Richmond Park's wildlife as a result of increasing visitor numbers.

The esteemed naturalist and broadcaster was attending the re-opening of park's Poets Corner when he issued the warning.

Friends of Richmond Park patron Sir David described the park, which is more than 300 years old, as "a very special place".

He said: "Richmond Park isn't just a park, it's a very special place.

"A national nature reserve, a site of special scientific interest and home to a wealth of wonderful wildlife from thousands of rare beetles and birds to over 1,100 veteran oak trees, some over 700 years old."

But Sir David, who lives a short walk from Richmond Park, warned that the park's wildlife has "never been under greater pressure".

He added: "With nearly 5.5m visitors per year, Richmond Park and its wildlife have never been under greater pressure.

"Many species are threatened by increasing visitor numbers as well as diseases such as acute oak decline, pests including oak processionary moth and climate change."

He formally opened the restored Poets Corner on June 17 and award-winning poet David Harsent, from Barnes, premiered his latest poem, which was inspired by the park.

The poem, A Dream of Richmond Park, talks of many species living inside Europe's largest enclosed urban park, such as the plants, butterflies, bats and deer.

Mr Harsent said: "I wanted to write a poem that shows the beauty and variety of Richmond Park, its fantastic wildlife and history, but to urge readers and visitors to the park to treat this fragile environment with the love and respect it needs and deserves."

Actors including Anthony Calf, Julian Glover, Stella Gonet and Julia Watson also read poetry and prose including works by Shelley, Tennyson, Edward Thomas and WH Hudson.