A MARATHON walk, six-a-side football for teenagers and a wildlife stroll for toddlers are among a series of events planned for Love Parks Week this month.

The event, which runs from Sunday, June 18, until Sunday, June 25, is designed to get more people to use and enjoy city parks and open spaces.

The city council is organising it to help boost the number of people who visit Worcester's green spaces.

People will be able to get advice on how to maintain their gardens from the city council's Parkforce team who are responsible for maintaining local parks.

As part of the event, dogs and their owners can explore parts of Perdiswell Park with the council's wildlife rangers.

Music lovers will not be left out either - there will be a brass band playing in Cripplegate Park as well as a pop band in Gheluvelt Park on the final Sunday.

The event will also see the launch of a new service allowing people to share their thoughts about city parks on line.

Worcester Mayor Coun Ian Imray will launch GreenStat, part of a national system for visitor evaluation, at Fort Royal Park on Wednesday, June 21.

Parks manager Ian Yates said: "Worcester's parks have improved a lot in recent years. Play areas have been improved and there are more activities taking place and more staff to help visitors.

"Each park has a friends group which organises events. But we really need to know what people think about their parks, so we can respond to their wishes. This is a great way of getting that input."