A former Sutton lollipop lady feared her front garden had been invaded by “magic” mushrooms.

Irene Roberts, 74, woke on Friday, September 30, to find her Benhill Road garden had been infested by more than 200 of the mystery funghi.

The next day even more had grown. She cleared them all away and is now hoping a spell of colder weather could stop them returning.

She said: "It was my neighbours who pointed them out to me. I looked out of my window and saw them all, I couldn’t believe it.

"It was a true invasion. They came from nowhere. I thought they might be magic mushrooms. I certainly was not going to try them – they could have been poisonous.

"I was really worried my cats might try to eat them."

"In eight years living here this has never happened before to me or any of my neighbours. I try to look after my garden, but to see this happen was so embarrassing."

"People were stopping all the time on the street to look at them. Children were fascinated by them."

Mrs Roberts, who worked in Sutton for 20 years as a lollipop lady, and was also employed by St Helier Hospital, is asking anyone who might recognise the species from these photos to let her know.

Wild mushrooms can grow throughout the year, but experts say autumn offers the most abundant and varied types.

If you recognise the funghi, email mwatts@london.news quest.co.uk.