A CITY centre park in North Yorkshire has been recognized as one of the best green spaces in the UK – for the 15th year in a row.

Ripon’s Spa Gardens has been presented with a Green Flag Award by Keep Britain Tidy – and now holds the record for receiving the most green flags in the region.

The multi award winning park boasts a Victorian bandstand, a popular café, crazy golf, a bowling pavilion and bowling green, colourful flower displays and many other facilities.

A popular attraction this year is a set of chainsaw carvings in the gardens depicting characters from Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

The local cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Michael Harrison, said he was delighted with the award.

“Achieving this award 15 years in a row reflects the continued hard work and dedication of our parks team and the Friends of Spa Gardens and Spa Park, and I would like to thank everyone for their on-going commitment to providing a park of the highest quality,” he said.

“I am pleased that once again their efforts are being recognised and that the people who live in and visit Ripon have such an attractive, well-kept park to enjoy.”