The Thames Barrier in East London was closed for the fifth time in three days on Tuesday morning to protect the capital from high tides, following extreme weather over the weekend.

Parks in Tower Hamlets will be blooming come the arrival of Spring, thanks to 15 tonnes of compost recycled from residents’ household and garden rubbish being spread across the borough’s flower beds.

Nestled in a row of shops along the busy Lee High Road in Lewisham sits Harlequin, a costume-hire and party world where anybody can transform themselves into Elvis or Dracula.

Sainsbury’s recycling facility at their Sydenham branch is one of the first stores in the country to collect energy-saving light bulbs in addition to portable batteries.

Around a billion cards are sent worldwide each Valentine’s Day,

Visitors to Mile End Park in Tower Hamlets will now be able to stroll the grounds accompanied by actress and Ghurkhas campaigner Joanna Lumley.