FOUR County Durham parks are in the running to be named the nation's favourite.

Keep Britain Tidy is asking people across the country to choose their Park of the Year.

Blackhill and Consett Park, Chester-le-Street Riverside Park, Hardwick Park at Sedgefield and Bishop Auckland Town Recreation Ground are all eligible for the People’s Choice Award as they hold Green Flag status.

Durham County Council is calling on park visitors to take part in the vote and secure the prize for the county.

Councillor Brian Stephens, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said: “Our parks and open spaces offer a fantastic opportunity to get out and about and enjoy some fresh air - whether it’s to admire the scenery, take a walk or keep the children entertained.

“We’d like to encourage people to support out parks by voting for their favourite.

"We are extremely proud that four of them have Green Flag status but it would be absolutely fantastic if one of them was named Park of the Year.”

To vote visit greenflagaward.org. The deadline is noon on Friday, September 30 and the UK’s ten most popular parks and green spaces will be announced in October.