Green flags flying at five Sunderland parks

Today the flags will be raised at Barnes Park, Hetton Lyons Country Park, Roker Park, Mowbray Park and Herrington Country Park.

The Green Flag Award scheme - managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government - recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for their management across the United Kingdom and around the world.

Sunderland's winners are among a record 2,208 sites across the country to collect the Green Flag Award this year.

Councillor Claire Rowntree, Sunderland City Council's Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: "Sunderland has some truly beautiful parks and green spaces, and seeing five of them recognised with Green Flag awards is testament to the hard work and dedication that goes into maintaining them. Everyone across the city can feel proud of these awards."

Sunderland's parks have been receiving Green Flag awards for a number of years. In 2005, the former colliery spoil heap that was transformed into Herrington Country Park won its first award, and it has achieved awards every year since.

Keep Britain Tidy's Accreditation Manager Paul Todd said: "I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making these parks worthy of a Green Flag Award.

"This award is testament to all the hard work of staff and volunteers, who do so much to ensure that it maintains the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award."

The Green Flag awards are an international quality mark for parks and green spaces. They are given on an annual basis and winners must apply each year to renew their award status. Any green space that is freely accessible to the public is eligible to enter for a Green Flag Award.