DROITWICH’S two parks have been given Green Flag awards for the third year running under the national scheme.

Lido Park/St Peter’s Fields, and Vines Park, were both among 1,582 parks and green spaces across the country to be awarded a Green Flag by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.

In order to keep a Green Flag, parks need to be assessed every year by judges who mark them against eight criteria including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability and community involvement.

Lido Park and St Peter’s Field in Droitwich have held their award since 2011/12 and Vines Park in Droitwich has held its award since 2013/14.

All five parks across the Wychavon district received the award this year.

Lynn Stevens, parks officer at Wychavon District Council, said: “We are delighted to have achieved Green Flag status for all five of our parks for the third year running. They are a testament to the hard work of our team but are also a signal to our residents of the quality and cleanliness of these wonderful green and open spaces that everyone is welcome to enjoy.”

Cllr Emma Stokes, portfolio holder for environment on Wychavon District Council, added: “We’re absolutely delighted to receive these Green Flag Awards and proud to be flying them in more parks than anywhere else in Worcestershire. Our parks and open spaces are important to us as we know they are valued by our residents. That’s why the parks team works so hard to not only ensure they are beautifully maintained, but to continue to add to the facilities available for people to enjoy and my congratulations go to them for this much deserved success.”

Paul Todd, Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award scheme manager, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme. All the flags flying this year are a testament to the efforts of the thousands of men and women, both staff and volunteers, who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”