text: Horticulturalists have urged people to halt the 'grey sprawl' in Britain which is seeing grass and flowers in front gardens replaced by concrete. More than 7million front lawns in Britain have now been paved over - raising the risk of flooding and reducing available habitats for wildlife. And there are not just environmental consequences of replacing grass and wild flowers with brick, as the sight of a green garden is said to boost people's mood. More than 7million gardens in Britain have now been paved over and the RHS is calling for people to plant hedges, trees and flowers to turn the UK green again - as grassy well kept gardens boost mood . The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is calling on people to plant trees, shrubs, climbers, hedges or flowers to attract wildlife, improve air quality and reduce urban temperatures and the risk of flooding. Alistair Griffiths, RHS director of science and collections, said: 'Many of us get a boost by simply looking at a beautiful garden or having access to green space. 'So instead of paving over green we can all play a part in reducing the grey and brightening it, and us, up with some plants. 'On top of making us feel better and happier, if hundreds and thousands of people across the country across the country grew more plants of different varieties in gardens and community spaces, it would all help to improve our air quality, benefit us, our wildlife and reduce temperatures and flooding risks. The society has issued advise for people to transform their gardens by planting a tree, hedge and a shrub . The RHS has launched a three year 'greening grey Britain' campaign in a bid to transform 6,000 unloved grey, concrete spaces into planted-up areas. A survey of 2,000 people by the organisation found that 95 per cent thought being in a beautiful garden lifted their mood. More than 60 per cent said looking at a street of paved-over front gardens saddened them. The RHS says replace paving with plants . The RHS has suggested people can transform their concrete front gardens by planting five things; . a tree - intercept intense rain and slow run-off, helping reduce risk of floods . a hedge - provide areas of shade . a shrub - create extra habitats for wildlife which can promote growing of more plants . a climber - cool buildings . a perennial plant - reduce pressure on drains which can lead to flash flooding . The poll also found that 60 per cent of people worry about paved front gardens and flooding. The society is offering tips on how to transform grey areas. Tips include pulling up a paving stone and planting it up, to creating window boxes and planting trees and climbers in front gardens which can cool buildings. Around 30,000 volunteers who worked on the Britain in Bloom competition will also help transform concrete Britain into a greener space in the three years of the campaign.
target: The RHS has warned about the 'grey sprawl' with front gardens paved over .
  Around 7million grassy front gardens have been replaced with paving .
  RHS is calling on people to plant trees, shrubs and climbers to go green .
  Claims seeing a green front garden boosts mood for 95 per cent of people .