RESIDENTS are being asked to nominate Harold Hill heroes for a “portrait” bench for the area.

Havering Council wants to hear your suggestions of which famous or historical figures you would like to see represented on the seating.

The bench will be placed by a greenway at a location in Harold Hill as part of an ongoing borough-wide scheme called Ingrebourne Way Connect2 Project, which is creating a 13-mile long walking and cycling route through Havering.

It will be funded by sustainable transport charity Sustrans, which secured a �700,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund to go towards the entire project.

Three life-size figures will be put onto the bench behind the seating part of the steel frame.

Benches are to be a common element in all 79 Sustrans Connect2 schemes.

As well as famous or historical figures, residents can submit the names of a local hero or well-known character. The top six ideas will be displayed in Harold Hill Library and residents can vote for their favourite. The top three will be chosen.

The bench will be put in place next spring following the completion of the section of greenway which runs from Harold Hill by the M25 at Dagnam Park to Pages Wood in Harold Wood.

The complete greenway will run from Harold Hill to the River Thames in Rainham. The project, which aims to link existing and new sections of greenway throughout the borough, is expected to be finished by 2013.

Suggestions should be sent to Catherine Robinson, London Borough of Havering, 9th Floor Mercury House, Romford, RM1 3SL, or emailed to catherine.robinson@havering.gov.uk by Friday December 10.