Three popular parks in Basingstoke and Deane have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag, putting them among the very best parks in the UK.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Beggarwood Park, Eastrop Park and War Memorial Park have again gained Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag award, the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

The Green Flag scheme aims to raise the standard of parks and green spaces and reflects the hard work of the council’s grounds maintenance, street cleansing and ranger teams that care for the green spaces for everyone to enjoy.

Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services and Housing Cllr Laura James said: “I’m very pleased these three popular parks in our borough have been commended again by the Green Flag award panel.

“Our teams work very hard to keep these valued public spaces well-maintained for residents and visitors and I’d like to congratulate them on achieving this recognition of their hard work.

“We know that the parks and open spaces in our borough are important to our residents’ health and wellbeing which is why we want to make sure they are accessible to all, well maintained and fun places for our residents and their families to enjoy.”

Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: “Congratulations to everyone involved who has worked tirelessly to ensure that these parks achieve the high standards required for the Green Flag Award.

“Quality parks and green spaces make the country a heathier place to live and work in, and a stronger place in which to invest.

“These parks are vital green spaces for communities in Basingstoke and Deane to enjoy nature and they are a free and safe space for families to socialise. They also provide important opportunities for local people and visitors to reap the physical and mental health benefits of green space.”

More information about local parks in the borough is available at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/local-parks