Five Sunderland parks given Green Flag status

Flying the flag in Mowbray Park are council environment and grounds staff Iain Worthy (left) and Eddie Campbell.

Barnes Park, Herrington Country Park, Hetton Lyons Country Park, Mowbray Park and Roker Park have this week received prestigious Green Flag Awards – the mark of a quality park or green space.

The parks were all inspected by judges, including 'mystery shopper' visits.

Councillor Amy Wilson, the City Council's Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: "This is excellent news and a tribute to the hard work and dedication of staff, plus all the friends and volunteers who love their local park.

"Quality green spaces are very important to residents across our city and the council is very aware of how much our city's parks mean to people.

"With the continued squeeze on council budgets and all the pressure on staffing and resources, keeping the flags and flying the flags is a great achievement that we can all be very proud of."

The five parks are among 1,883 that have received a Green Flag this year - the mark of a quality park or green space.

International Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: "We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme, with more Green Flags awarded this year than last year.

"Each flag honours the thousands of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.

"We are proud to have so many wonderful green spaces in the UK for people to enjoy, and hope that next year, we award even more flags."