Parks fly the flag for cleanliness and safety

Dunwood Park

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TWO of Oldham's best-loved parks have retained their prestigious Green Flag awards, it has been announced today.

Oldham's Alexandra Park and Dunwood Park, in Shaw, have been named as winners of the 2017 Green Flag awards by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.

The Green Flag Award is a sign of a well-managed, clean and safe park and is an international mark of quality.

The success comes as Oldham joins the rest of the country in celebrating Love Parks Week, which will see hundreds of people enjoy activities in the borough's parks.

In total this year, 1,797 UK parks, cemeteries, universities, museums, hospitals and shopping centres have met the tough criteria demanded by the award, including 219 in the North-West.

Keep Britain Tidy chief executive Allison Ogden-Newton said: "Research shows that parks are a vital and valued resource in communities across the UK and we are delighted that so many of them are meeting the high standards."

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and co-operatives, said: "Oldham Council is committed to providing high standard green spaces for residents and the news that Alexandra Park and Dunwood Park have retained their Green Flag Awards shows we are on the right track.

"Throughout the borough, families are able to enjoy free, safe and top class facilities on their doorsteps. I would like to congratulate the council staff and volunteers who have done a fantastic job in helping us retain these awards."

Paul Todd, International Green Flag Award scheme manager, said: "We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme.

"Each flag is a celebration of the thousands of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards."