Tourism and heritage minister John Penrose has announced plans to transfer responsibility for London's eight Royal Parks to mayor Boris Johnson.

The parks - including Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and St James' Park - are currently managed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. However, Penrose said that the proposals would ensure "full democratic accountability" to Londoners and would help establish links with other London-wide issues.

Safeguards would be implemented as part of the transfer to ensure the character of the parks was retained and that the interests of park users groups would continue to be recognised. London's Royal Parks also comprise Bushy Park; Green Park; Greenwich Park; Regent's Park; and Richmond Park.

Penrose said: "We believe the time is right to make [the Royal Parks] more accountable to the public, and to do so by passing responsibility for their continued success to the mayor. "But the current identity and character of the Parks must not change, so sensible safeguards against unsuitable developments and activities would be put in place too."

Image: Regent's Park - Britain on View