Five of Worcester’s green spaces have been awarded Green Flag status.

The scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, recognises the best parks and open spaces.

Gheluvelt Park, Fort Royal Park, Cripplegate Park and Riverside Park have once again scooped the accolade, along with Astwood Cemetery and Crematorium.

Worcester News: One of the new Riverside Park signsOne of the new Riverside Park signs (Image: Worcester City Council)

Karen Lewing, chair of Worcester City Council’s environment committee, said: “We are delighted that five of our parks have been awarded Green Flag status once again.

“We are so lucky to have such beautiful and well-managed parks in our city for everyone to enjoy, and this is a tribute to the hard work of the city council’s parks team.”

Riverside Park has recently seen the installation of 16 new totem-style signs to welcome visitors.

The signs include maps, information on walking and cycling routes, stories from the rich history of the area, and family-friendly facts on the wildlife that lives on, in and near the river.

Proposals for a major revamp of one of the most popular entrances to the Riverside Park, at St Andrew’s Gardens on the corner of Deansway and Copenhagen Street, are about to be considered by councillors.

READ MORE: St Andrew's Gardens, Worcester, set for £250,000 revamp

The plans would see the gardens gain an attractive new entrance and new accessible pathway down to the river, creating an appealing new route between high street shops and the Riverside Park.

The Green Flag award is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

It recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

Any green space that is freely accessible to the public is eligible to enter for a Green Flag Award. Awards are given on an annual basis and winners must apply each year to renew their Green Flag Award status.