Image: A 'beach' first opened at the park in 1903

London's first urban beach has been opened by Hammersmith and Fulham Council (HFC) as part of a wider £8m programme of improvements being carried out at Bishops Park.

The new beach has been inspired by families from across the capital who would travel to the park's "Margate Sands" in Fulham each summer during Edwardian times.

First unveiled in 1903, Bishops Park's beach fell into a state of disrepair during the Second World War before being permanently closed in 1949 on safety grounds.

In addition to the restoration and reopening of the urban beach, the ornamental lake and the café at Bishops Park have been revitalised. Three new play areas have also been added.

Meanwhile, a stretch of what is thought to be the longest medieval moat in England has been excavated at Fulham Palace - the Bishop of London's former home - as part of the project.

Chris Blandford Associates has acted as lead consultant and landscape architects on the project, which received £3.65m from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund.

HFC cabinet member for residents' services Greg Smith said: "Local residents will be pleased to know that they no longer need get on an aeroplane or head to the coast if they wish to lie on a beach!"

Details: www.lbhf.gov.uk