STROUD’S Stratford Park has been recognised as one of the best in the country, further adding to the town's green credentials.

Staff at the 56-acre park are celebrating being awarded a Green Flag Award for the 13th consecutive year.

The Green Flag Award scheme has been judging the UK’s best parks and green spaces for the past 20 years, and this year sent a `mystery shopper’ to inspect the park.

Green councillor Simon Pickering, who is the chair of Stroud District Council’s environment committee, welcomed the accolade.

“We are absolutely delighted to receive a Green Flag Award for Stratford Park,” he said.

“This award recognises and highlights that people and wildlife in Stroud are benefitting from a green space of the very highest quality.

“The facilities in the park are used extensively and the park is a wonderful asset enjoyed by the whole community.”

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

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, especially as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the awards.

“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.”

Stratford Park spans 56 acres and boasts large grass lawns, two children’s play areas, a lake, woodland area, museum, leisure centre and outdoor lido within its grounds.

In 2010 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Stratford Park coming into public ownership, the park supervisor Mike McCrea launched a monthly biodiversity newsletter to celebrate the rich variety of wildlife activity in the park.

The newsletter can be found on the website: museuminthepark.org.uk