Fifteen green spaces in Bury have been honoured with coveted Green Flag awards for their high quality and standard.

Ramsbottom Cemetery has been accredited for the first time, joining the 13 parks and one cemetery which once more have retained their titles.

The Green Flag Award scheme recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces and sets a benchmark standard for recreational outdoor spaces.

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Cllr Alan Quinn, cabinet member for the environment, operations and climate change, said: “We are absolutely delighted that our parks and cemeteries continue to retain their Green Flags year on year, and to have added a further site to the collection this year is a fantastic achievement.

“Green Flags flying overhead show that our communities are benefitting from high quality green spaces, thanks to the tireless work and high standards of our parks and countryside and grounds maintenance teams working in partnership with Friends of parks groups, various other community groups and volunteers.

“A huge thank you and very well done to everyone.”

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The Green Flag award scheme is managed by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.

The winning parks and cemeteries in Bury are:

• Burrs Country Park

• Clarence Park

• Manchester Road Park

• Openshaw Park

• Whitehead Park

• St Mary’s Park

• Bolton Road Park

• Close Park

• Nuttall Park

• Private Peachment VC Town Meadow Park

• Whitefield Park

• Hamilton Road Park

• Radcliffe Cemetery

• Ramsbottom Cemetery

Most sites have achieved the award for numerous years, but the parks with the highest running total are Clarence Park, Burrs Country Park, Close Park, Nuttall Park, Openshaw Park, St Mary’s Park and Whitefield Park with a track record of 20 years.

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Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award scheme manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in Bury’s sites on achieving a Green Flag Award.

“Bury’s green spaces are vital for communities to socialise, enjoy nature, for children to play safely and they provide important opportunities for users to improve their physical and mental health.

"We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award, everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.

"It is important that our free to use spaces are maintained to the Green Flag Award standard, making them accessible for all members of the community while ensuring the environment is protected.”