A married couple believe they may have stumbled across the ultimate example of green insulation, after a climbing plant covered their home.

Retired pair Michael and Teresa Lye attempted to tame the Virginia creeper when they first moved into their home in Bromley nearly 40 years ago.

But now the grandparents say their house is insulated by the five-leaved ivy, which pictures show covers their entire property in a leafy green – making it something of a local attraction.

They say the Downham home feels so warm that sometimes their daughter wonders if the heating is on.

The Lyes infrequently ask a relative over to prune leaves covering their windows but otherwise let it grow.

Michael, 75, said amid the cost-of-living crisis: ‘We think it acts as natural insulation.

‘But I’m still dreading my gas and electricity bill coming.’

Teresa, 72, added: ‘Go in any of the rooms – it’s warm. That’s why we’ve got a fan in here. In the winter we are toasty.

‘My daughter comes up and says, “You got the heating on?”. I say, “No, of course we haven’t got the heating on”.’

The parents-of-five and grandparents-of-25 bought the semi-detached property in 1984 for £24,000.

Now they find passers-by regularly stopping to take photos of their home, which they say dates back to 1928 and was opened by royalty – who suggested the Virginia creeper.

Michael, an ex social housing worker, said: ‘A monarch opened the estate. I can’t remember which one.

‘And they said, “These houses would look lovely with Virginia creeper on them”.

‘So the council started to plant it on all the houses. Most people moved in and got rid of it.

‘[When we viewed the house] there were some windows that were broken, and [the plant] had grown up the top passageway along the wall.

‘It had actually come in the house.’

When the couple viewed the house the plant was running amok – and had even made its way inside.

Michael’s wife added: ‘It had grown in one bedroom, where [vandals] had broken the windows.

‘When we viewed it, I said, “Oh”. You walked in the room and it was right across the ceiling and down the walls.’

Teresa continued: ‘And they said, “No, we’re going to clear all that. We’re going to paint the window, we’re going to decorate”.’

Pictures of the house often make their way on to community Facebook groups, where people speak fondly of the local landmark.

Michael said: ‘Every week, somebody will stop.

‘If you watch the cars pulling up because of the lights, you can see them [taking pictures].

‘As early as last week a van with two people in it – a low, flat truck – was going past slowly and the guy took a picture as he drove past.

‘Then there was a lady out there the other day. I said, “It’s a pound a picture”. She said, “What?!”. I said, “I’m only joking, don’t worry”.

‘And she asked, “Don’t you get all the creepy crawlies coming in the windows?”. And I said, “No, the wife sleeps with her mouth open so we’re fine”.’

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