Parks get celebrity deckchairs

The sale of the deckchairs aims to raise money for the Royal Parks

London's parks are to get a celebrity makeover this summer with a range of new designer deckchairs.

Yoko Ono and designer Paul Smith are among those who have agreed to produce recliners with the aim of raising funds for London's eight Royal Parks.

Organisers say the recliners will transform the landscape of the parks.

The 24 specially-commissioned chairs will be sold at a private charity auction on Sunday and appear in the parks from 9 July.

The parks have 280 historic buildings and statues, five pelicans, three shire horses, 1,000 deer and 13 children's playgrounds.

There are also 21 lakes and ponds, 12 cricket pitches and more than 100,000 roses.

The Royal Parks are the lungs of London and London is one of the world's greatest cities Architect Sir Richard Rogers

The Royal Parks Foundation said it cost £20,000 a year to look after the deer and about £300,000 a year to maintain the trees.

Sara Lom, its director, said: "The Royal Parks have their own nurseries and a dedicated team of plantsmen and staff, but that costs money and we could do with some help."

Architect Sir Richard Rogers, who has designed one of the chairs, said said: "The Royal Parks are the lungs of London and London is one of the world's greatest cities. They need continuous love and care."

Other designers involved in the project include fashion designer Alexander McQueen, photographer Mario Testino and chefs Heston Blumenthal, Rose Gray and Ruth Rogers.

The deckchair season in the parks, including the famous Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and Richmond Park, runs from May to the end of September.