PARKS across the county have been named some of the best in the country.

The Green Flag – the national symbol of a well managed, well-run park with excellent facilities – has been raised at Worcester’s Gheluvelt for the fifth year running and Cripplegate, for the third successive year and at Droitwich’s Lido Park and St Peter’s Fields.

Worcester City Council portfolio holder for cleaner and greener Roger Knight said: “Cripplegate and Gheluvelt parks offer local people and visitors a beautiful haven away from the busy city environment.

“We are incredibly proud of our open spaces and work hard to maintain them.”

Elsewhere, green flags have been awarded to Abbey Park, Evesham – for the seventh year running; Workman Gardens, Evesham – for the fifth year and Abbey Park, Pershore, for the fourth year.

At the Lido, Wychavon District Council parks officer Lynn Stevens said: “With the summer holidays under way and the Droitwich Lido bustling with families enjoying the sunshine it’s a great time to raise the flag.”

The Green Flag is jointly run by Keep Britain Tidy, the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and Greenspace, with backing from the Department for Communities and Local Government.

People now get their own chance to have their say on their favourite parks. You can vote at greenflagaward.org.uk.