REGENT’S Park’s award-winning gardeners went on a 24-hour strike today in a row over being paid less than their counterparts at other Royal Parks.

GMB said the workers employed by private contractor Idverde are being paid between £11.95 and £13.03 an hour while the other parks’ offer a minimum of £13.13 an hour.

Staff at Regent’s Park were handed the prestigious British Association of Landscape Industries (Bali) award for their work just last year. 

GMB organiser Anna Lee said: “These highly skilled gardeners have won several awards for their work over the past few years. 

“It’s a shame their employer Idverde and the Royal Parks do not recognise it and pay them a pittance – less than colleagues working in other parks. 

“They maintain these grounds for the benefit of all Londoners, but they now face the ugly prospect of being priced out of their own city.” 

A spokeswoman for Idverde said: "We are disappointed by the action taken by our colleagues at The Regent’s Park. We continue with open, cordial and constructive discussions with colleagues and are still hopeful of a workable resolution.

"With regard to pay, GMB’s statement is erroneous. All our entry level gardeners, at any Royal Park, are paid London Living Wage as a minimum."