Six parks and green spaces in Stafford Borough have received recognition from The Green Flag Award scheme.

The accreditation is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces with six of this year's nearly 2,400 UK winners being located in Stafford Borough.

Unsurprisingly, Victoria Park was among the victors claiming its 20th award in a row.

Wildwood Park, Tixall Road crematorium and the 160 year old Eccleshall Road Cemetery were also awarded by the scheme alongside Stone's town cemetery and Stonefield Park.

The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

It aims to reward well-managed parks and green spaces in the hope of setting a benchmark standard for green spaces in the UK and across the globe.

Green Flag Award Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: "Congratulations to everyone involved.

"Parks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy.

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"Stafford Borough Council has shown what can be achieved when parks are properly supported and managed.

"As we celebrate 30 years of the Green Flag Award, we want every community to have access to green spaces like this that are safe, welcoming and maintained to a high standard."

Joss Presland, Head of Operations at the Borough Council, said: "We know these parks and open spaces are popular with our residents and visitors - and it is always great to have independent feedback from judges representing a national organisation about how well maintained and managed they are.

"Thank you to all those who do excellent work on the ground and behind the scenes to ensure these green spaces are appreciated by the tens of thousands of people who visit them.

"Thanks also to the contribution from our community, especially the 'Friends' groups that support the work of the council at these sites.

"They are instrumental in us receiving the 'Green Flags.'"

Any green space which is freely accessible to the public can be nominated for the awards which are presented each year.