Ford Park in Ulverston has been awarded its prestigious Green Flag Award.

Ford Park Community Group is celebrating after receiving the award for the park as one of 2,208 UK winners.

The award is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

After two years that have seen parks and green spaces play a vital role for people through the coronavirus lockdowns as a place to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely, the news that Ford Park has achieved the Green Flag Award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that make it a great space that everyone can enjoy.

Jill Salmon, CEO of the charity that manages the park, said: “We are delighted to have awarded Green Flag status again - for the eighth consecutive year. This award recognises all the hard work and commitment of our staff and volunteers. They are here come rain or shine, ensuring Ford Park is safe and attractive for the community and maintained to an award-winning standard.”

Keep Britain Tidy’s Accreditation Manager Paul Todd said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making Ford Park worthy of a Green Flag Award.

“Ford Park is a vital green space for the community in Ulverston and the surrounding area. This award is testament to all the hard work of staff and volunteers, who do so much to ensure that it maintains the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”

Run by the charity Ford Park Community Group, the park offers green open space for people to enjoy, nature trails, a children’s playground, Victorian walled garden, native species arboretum, community orchard, heritage orchard and plant nursery. The park is wholly funded through grants, fundraising and donations.

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.