TWO popular parks in Basingstoke have been given an award status which puts them among the very best green spaces in the UK.

Eastrop Park and War Memorial Park have retained the prestigious Green Flag Award for being beautifully maintained, clean and safe, with excellent facilities for visitors.

The awards, which are in their silver jubilee year, are an international quality mark for having the highest possible environmental standards.

Cllr Mark Ruffell, cabinet member for the natural environment and climate improvement, said the parks are recognised as "among the best in the country" and praised the teams who look after them.

He said: “Eastrop Park and War Memorial Park continue to be recognised as among the best in the country and this is in no small part due to the hard work of the council's grounds maintenance team who look after them so well.

During the last 18 months parks and green spaces have played a vital role as a place for people to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely during the Covid-19 pandemic and the awards are testament to the hard work and dedication of the council's grounds maintenance teams that make these parks an area for everyone to enjoy.

Cllr Ruffell said the parks helped many residents through the Covid-19 restrictions.

He added: “These parks have been central to helping many of us through government COVID-19 restrictions and to have them recognised in this way shows the positive impact that these landscaped open spaces, colourful flowerbeds and woodland walks have on our wellbeing."

The Green Flag Award is the benchmark international standard for publicly accessible parks and green spaces in the United Kingdom and around the world.

Eastrop Park has held Green Flag status for the past 22 years, while War Memorial Park has received the same award for 14 years.

Paul Todd, Green Flag Award scheme manager congratulated all those involved in the parks.

He added: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making Eastrop Park and War Memorial Park worthy of a Green Flag Award.

“To meet the requirements demanded by the scheme is testament to the hard work of the staff and volunteers who do so much to ensure the high standards of horticulture, safety and environmental management and is a place that supports people to live healthy lives."

For more information about local parks, visit: https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/local-parks.