TWO parks in Hartlepool have retained a prestigious national quality award.

Summerhill, a 100-acre country park, and the more traditional Ward Jackson Park have once again been awarded Green Flag Awards.

The awards scheme is managed by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy and Summerhill and Ward Jackson Park are among 1,582 parks and green spaces to be recognised this year. Both have held Green Flag Awards since 2008.

Councillor Marjorie James, whose remit as chairman of Hartlepool Council’s Neighbourhood Services Policy Committee covers Ward Jackson Park, said: “Credit must go to everyone who contributes to its success, both the Council staff who work there on a day-to-day basis and the many volunteers – including the Friends of Ward Jackson Park, the Friends of Hartlepool’s Wild Green Spaces and the Council’s Parks and Countryside Team volunteers - who so unselfishly give up their spare time to get involved in a range of improvement projects and activities.”

Anne Brown, a committee member of the Friends of Summerhill group and chairwoman of the Friends of Hartlepool’s Wild Green Spaces, said: “Our dedicated members put in so much hard work alongside council staff and other volunteers, so we are delighted to be celebrating the retention of the Green Flags.”

New members would be welcomed by both groups and people can contact the Friends of Summerhill via Summerhill Country Park on (01429) 284584. The Friends of Hartlepool’s Wild Green Spaces can be contacted on 07769-815017 or via their Facebook page at Facebook.com/FOHWGS .”