Green children's centre turns brown

Paradise Park Children's Centre won the national award for Building for Sure Start at the annual Sure Start Partners in Excellence awards for its vertical green walls with plants growing from two sides of the building, supported by recycled rainwater.

But the walls are now more brown than green as the plants have died over time.

A spokesman for Islington council confessed that the design was a risk due to its innovative nature.

"Of course we're disappointed that, despite everyone's best efforts, the green wall hasn't thrived. It seems this could be down to its design and we have raised our concerns with the appropriate parties and hope a solution can be found," he added.

The centre was showered with praise when it was first built and was considered to be a key part of council's plans to make the area more environmentally friendly.