High standards honour for country parks

Staff are celebrating after two country parks in Worcestershire and a local nature reserve scooped Green Flag Awards.

Waseley Hills Country Park, near Kidderminster, took the award for the fifth time, and St Wulstan's Local Nature Reserve and Worcester Woods Country Park also triumphed for well-managed quality open spaces.

Judges, who are picked from The Civic Trust, communities, local government and Green Flag Advisory Board decide how well managed and maintained parks and reserves are and the amount of community involvement.

They also take into account the safety of open spaces for users and how they are connected to heritage and conservation. Dan Barnett, the county's countryside sites officer, said: "It is fantastic that three of our parks have been recognised for their high standards.

"Visitors to these sites can be assured that they are coming to areas that are well looked after by staff and volunteers," he added. "Worcester Woods has gained an award for a third year and we are delighted that for the first time St Wulstan's Local Nature Reserve has been honoured." Councillor Derek Prodger, Worcestershire County Council cabinet member for the environment, said: "This is a great achievement for the Countryside Service.

"It is an honour that Green Flag have noticed the high standards of work that goes into maintaining the local countryside."