Green Flag awards for two sites on Wearside

Two places in Chester-leStreet are among ten parks and open spaces in County Durham have been awarded prestigious Green Flag status.

The town’s Riverside Park and Ropery Lane Cemetery, are among four parks and six cemeteries or crematoriums owned and managed by Durham County Council given the national accolade, which is awarded by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.

The awards reflect the high levels of work needed to keep the sites looking good after judges looked at criteria such as maintenance conservation and community involvement as well as being welcoming, healthy, safe and secure.

Alan Patrickson, head of direct services said: “We are delighted that so many of our parks and cemeteries have been awarded Green Flag status again this year. It’s a fantastic result.”

Coun Brian Stephens, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said: “We would like to acknowledge the involvement of communities, working in partnership with the council, in the upkeep of the sites t. “These are truly ‘community’ awards and we thank everyone who does their bit to keep parks and open spaces in excellent condition.”