Olympics' Thomas Heatherwick designs London garden bridge

A pedestrian garden bridge spanning the River Thames from Temple to the Southbank has been designed by the London Olympics cauldron architect.

Thomas Heatherwick's design has been described as "sensational" by Joanna Lumley, who campaigned for the bridge.

Featuring grasses, trees and wild flowers it was selected after a tendering process, said Transport for London (TfL).

It will need to obtain planning permission and £60m in funding.

Thomas Heatherwick said he has been working with Joanna Lumley on the project

TfL said it hoped the bridge would create a new walking route from the Southbank to Covent Garden and Soho.

Mr Heatherwick said: "With its rich heritage of allotments, gardens, heathland, parks and squares, London is one of the greenest cities in the world.

"The idea is simple - to connect north and south London with a garden."

Mr Heatherwick's cauldron made up of 204 copper stems was a highlight of the finale for the London 2012 opening ceremony.

Visualisations of the bridge show the structure widens and narrows across its span. It will be planted with indigenous British and London species.

The design concept is in development with engineering firm Arup and will not be finalised until mid-July, said TfL.

The plan requires permission from Westminster and Lambeth councils.

Heatherwick Studio is working on a number of designs for Asian cities including Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore.