THREE Tynedale parks have been recognised as being some of the best in the country.

Hexham Parks, St Andrew's cemetary in Hexham and Eastwood Park in Prudhoe have been named and given the status of  a Green Flag winner.

The Green Flag Award is an international accreditation given to publicly accessible parks and open spaces. It managed under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and is a UK Government department, by Keep Britain Tidy, who also administers the scheme in England.

Hexham Mayor Derek Kennedy said: "Once again Hexham has excelled with its superb green spaces.  The Hexham Park is so lush and green with mature trees and impressive planting  which allows people to have tranquility. During the recent visit by our French visitors from  Noyon there many comments on how impressive the park is and those who have enjoyed the band sessions have recognised what great effort is made to manage the park. 

"St Andrews Cemetery once again has won the green flag I know many people visit their deceased relatives here and are very impressed as they seek sometime for solice. 

"Steven English and his team do a fabulous job to maintain the area and we have been adding new elements recently to make the cemetery area more sustainable including meadow planting and new hives. "

Cllr Gordon Stewart is also delighted a Prudhoe Park is named in the awards.

He said: "Eastwoods park is one of the finest examples of how the Councils & the community can work together to create an area that is now truly loved by locals and visitors alike’ The park is over 100 years old but was neglected for many years until 2017 when a vision for its future was agreed Although still improving all the time it is now a jewel in the crown of the town, helping to make everyone very Proud of Prudhoe."

To achieve Green Heritage Site Accreditation, winners have to understand and take action to conserve the heritage value of their site. They also need to help people to understand and enjoy its unique history, from nationally important parks to local green spaces that help tell the story of places and communities.

Dr Erika Diaz Petersen, Historic England’s Principal National Landscape Adviser, said: “Congratulations to all of the winners of this year’s Green Flag Awards. They are the recognised standard for the management and maintenance of parks and greenspaces, which are so important to the health and wellbeing of communities and to our local environment. We are pleased to join in celebrating the achievement of this year’s winners, including those that have achieved Green Heritage Site Accreditation, supported by Historic England.

“The Green Heritage Site Accreditation recognises the additional achievement of award-winning sites to identify, conserve, enhance, celebrate and promote green space heritage. This is so important in supporting local pride and connection to the places where we live, work and play.”

Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd MBE also adds: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved on achieving a Green Flag Award.