An £800,000 scheme to improve East Twickenham, which includes adding trees, widening pavements, and moving a bus stop has been given the green light.

Residents have longer argued the area, which has seen the opening of a Lidl store and the 'outstanding' school, Deer Park, was badly in need to improvements following years of neglect.

A number of small shops on the busy main road through East Twickenham, which is at the foot of Richmond Bridge, have closed and are shuttered.

A survey of residents found that 67per cent considered the current look of the streets was 'poor' or 'very poor'.

There is wide backing for the planned improvements with 61per cent believed that adding trees and greening the area would make it more attractive.

There was also majority support for changes to the paths and entrances to roads connecting to the high street area.

The proposals include measures that will see come car parking spaces removed, which has alarmed some traders and residents.

There are concerns that drivers visiting the stores and school will attempt to park in surrounding streets, where residents are finding it increasingly difficult to park.

Chairman of the Council's Transport and Air Quality Committee, Cllr Alexander Ehmann, said: "The Council is running a variety of work programmes focused on improving local centres across the borough; giving them each their own distinct character and creating an environment that locals and visitors want to come to.

"Many of the proposed works in East Twickenham are long overdue and we know there is a great deal of enthusiasm for the investment from local residents and traders for the future of this important high-street.

"The consultation highlighted a number of resident priorities, including a desire for air quality improvements. With these works we can make East Twickenham a more appealing shopping destination as well as lay the ground-work for further interventions and investment in this important part of the borough."