FOUR prestigious Green Flags will once again be flying high this year at open spaces across Tendring.

Clacton Seafront and Gardens, Cliff Park, Dovercourt, Frinton’s Crescent Gardens and Weeley Crematorium grounds have all been awarded the nationwide status.

It puts the sites right up there amongst the very best around the country and is a credit to those who maintain the sites.

All are owned and run by Tendring Council and they all involve a considerable amount of community involvement in their up keep.

The official list of green Flag spaces has been published by Keep Britain Tidy and there are a record-breaking 1,797 parks and green areas.

A Green Flag flying overhead is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities.

Michael Talbot, cabinet member for environment, said that he was delighted that the Council and partners had retained their four flags for another year.

“Cliff Park at Dovercourt picked up the accolade for the first time last year and we have been working hard with the Harwich Society and local schoolchildren to keep up and improve standards there with new planting and other initiatives,” he said.

“We have always recognised that our open green spaces are very important to promoting healthier lifestyles and wellbeing.

“They are very much appreciated by residents and visitors alike and provide little havens of calm in a busy world.

“It is vital that we continue work with the local communities to maintain our four recognised sites and I thank every single individual – staff and volunteers over a wide range of ages – who play their part in the process.”

International Green Flag award scheme manager Paul Todd added that each award is a celebration of the thousands of people who help maintain the high standards demanded as part of the scheme.

“The success of the scheme, especially in these challenging times, demonstrates just how much parks matter to people,” he added.