THE town's parks have again been judged to be among the leading parks in the country after being awarded the Green Flag Award.

Salt Hill Park, Herschel Park and Pippins Park have all won the prestigious award, which recognises parks boast the highest standards of management, is well maintained to be safe, welcoming and clean.

It also recognises the community’s involvement in the management of the park and how well the council applies best environmental practice to its management.

Councillor Joginder Bal, commissioner for the environment and leisure, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive three Green Flags again this year. And we are particularly proud of Salt Hill Park, which has come a long way in recent years.

“It takes a lot of people and a lot of work to maintain the high standards needed to receive a Green Flag and I congratulate the parks team, Amey, our partners and our volunteers for their achievements.

“I encourage people to go out and make the most of these parks and the other wonderful green spaces we have on our doorstep.”

This is the seventh year in a row that Pippins Park has been awarded a Green Flag, the sixth for Salt Hill Park and the fifth for Herschel Park.