NINE parks in Cheshire West have received national Green Flag awards.

This week, Keep Britain Tidy presented Cheshire West and Chester Council with the nine accolades for its parks and green spaces, topping last year’s total of eight.

The Green Flag Award Scheme – which recognises and rewards the best green spaces in the country – has presented Green Flag Status to Caldy Nature Park, Castle Park, Grosvenor Park, Rivacre Valley, Northwich Woodlands, Stanney Fields Park, Westminster Park, Whitby Park and new for this year, Helsby Quarry.

A Community Green Flag award has also been presented for Overleigh Cemetery, following the hard work of the ‘Friends of’ group.

Members of the Council's Greenspace team have worked closely with park partners, 'Friends of' groups, volunteers and the Council’s StreetCare team over the last year at the various sites.

The Green Flag Award scheme is organised by the Keep Britain Tidy consortium and is the benchmark standard nationally and internationally for parks and green spaces in England, Wales and across the world.

Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning & Climate Emergency, Councillor Matt Bryan said: “Our parks and green spaces are very special places where residents can come together to rest, relax, play, exercise and have fun.

"I am delighted that nine sites throughout Cheshire West have been awarded this high accolade, something I know our Greenspace and StreetCare Teams have worked hard to achieve. Special congratulations go to everyone involved at Helsby Quarry, which has achieved this recognition for the first time.

"In many cases our teams are helped by dedicated local groups, who want to make their open spaces as green, sustainable and enjoyable as possible for all and dedicate a lot of their free time to maintaining the park.

"Many thanks for everything you do for us.”