PEOPLE in St John's are being asked how to improve Cripplegate Park in a bid to win a prestigious award.

Worcester City Council is hoping to enter the park for the Green Flag award next year.

But as part of the award, the council must stage a public consultation.

Two thousand surveys are being sent out this week to households around St John's, asking people questions such as how many times they visit the park, who they go with and what they would like to see renovated.

A pre-paid envelope will be included and surveys should be returned to the council by Friday, December 14.

If the park is entered for next year's awards, then judges from the Civic Society will rate the park on how welcoming it is, safety, maintenance, and appearance. The park is given points for each category and, if it receives enough points, Cripplegate will become the only Green Flag park in Worcester.

After that, the Civic Society will continue to make checks on the park to make sure standards do not slip.

The council is waiting for the response from the public before setting out definite plans for changes to the stretch of land, near New Road and Tybridge Street.

"In order to develop Cripplegate Park to meet local needs and aspirations, we're keen to find out what residents think," said Chris Waterfall, parks development officer for Worcester City Council.

"Working with them in this way will ensure the park will develop with them, in harmony with their ideas.

"We urge those living in St John's to look out for the questionnaire and complete it and send it back to us by the deadline."