Questions are being raised over whether the park will have recovered for the Olympics and various music events taking place over the summer.

Dave Saltman, managing director of turfing experts Maxwell Amenity, said: "The surface has emulsified. In other words, the foot-fall combined with the rain has destroyed the soil structure. If the damaged areas were allowed to dry, then raking, aerating and overseeding would normally suffice.

"However, this is Hyde Park [in constant use] and with the Olympics three ...