REDDITCH's most popular beauty spot has been awarded a coveted Green Flag Award.

Arrow Valley Country Park was one of 322 areas to receive a coveted award and one of just 17 in the West Midlands.

The awards recognise standards of excellence for parks and green spaces throughout England and Wales.

The Battens Drive park was inspected in June and marked against eight key areas including management, conservation, cleanliness and safety.

In order to achieve the award it had to be welcoming, safe, and well maintained, with strong community involvement.

Redditch Council's landscape and countryside manager Nat Healy said: "We're delighted to have won this award for the first time.

"This achievement is down to the hard work and commitment of the staff and volunteers and to the many community groups and charities which regularly use it."

The park's popularity has steadily increased recently, coinciding with the introduction of a packed programme of events and activities at the countryside centre.

Visitor numbers rose to 261,500 this year, a 17 per cent increase on last year, and during the Easter holidays 20,000 people visited it.

Council visitor's attractions manager Liz Stuffins said: "This award recognises the scope and diversity of what the park has to offer which makes visitors come back time after time.

"There's a huge amount to do such as lakeside walks, themed trails, fantastic play facilities and a visitors' centre with caf and gift shop.

"Redditch should be justifiably proud of this superb facility, which is one of the best parks in the region. We're keen to spread the word about how special it is."

Redditch receives its flag at a regional ceremony tomorrow and it will be officially unveiled in the park on August 4.