ALL 12 of Bury’s major parks have won the prestigious Green Flag Award for the sixth year in a row.

The national award, from Keep Britain Tidy, recognises and rewards the best parks and green spaces in the country.

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

Bury’s green dozen are: Burrs, Openshaw, Hoyles, Clarence, Whitehead, Town Meadow, Nuttall, Manchester Road, Close, Bolton Road, St Mary’s and Whitefield.

Councillor Tony Isherwood, cabinet member for environment, said: “It shows that people in Bury are benefitting from high quality green spaces, thanks to the efforts of our parks and countryside service and grounds maintenance.

“Partnership working is also vital, and a big thank you must go to the many volunteers and community groups who have helped to make the borough such an attractive place.”

Council officials say a range of factors have contributed to Bury’s ongoing Green Flag success:

* Self-management of bowling and football pitches and the voluntary groups involved who keep the sites running

* The Green cafe at Clarence Park has increased use and the attractiveness of the area, as has The Welly” Cafe at Manchester Road Park

* The commitment of Friends of Nuttall Park to keep the community base going with a view to self-management

* The work of Friends of Close Park with the Radcliffe Tower, an adjacent historical site. The Bury Voluntary Ranger Service has carried out some essential and environmentally friendly work on the Tower, as well as at other sites across the borough

* Volunteers looking after some of the beds in Openshaw Park to give a good show every year

* Bury Croquet Club has refurbished the former bowling green, now a croquet lawn, at Whitehead Park

* Incredible Edible groups across the borough have carried out work in public spaces to introduce fruit and veg beds

International Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme. All the flags flying this year are a testament to the efforts of the thousands of men and women, both staff and volunteers, who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”