Green spaces across Sutton and Merton will be connected as part of a new £2m grant scheme funded by the Mayor of London.

Among the six London wide projects that have received funding is an initiative to link Poulter Park in Sutton with Watermeads in Merton.

A grant of £390,000 is set to allow the Wandle Valley Regional Park Trust to open the Watermeads nature reserve to the public, improve access to the River Wandle, and connect green spaces in neighbouring boroughs with 4km of new landscaped walking and cycling paths planned.

Peter Wilkinson, chief executive of the Wandle Valley Trust, said: “Thanks to this money from the Mayor we will be creating new habitats for future reintroduction of Water Voles, welcoming the public into historic Watermeads Nature Reserve for the first time, establishing a new ‘easy access’ path along the river for walkers, cyclists and disabled people, and giving young people new skills through the Wandle Green Team.

“These are just some of the ‘big ticket’ items that will help put London's newest Regional Park in the Wandle Valley on the map.”