TEES Barrage Park in Stockton is celebrating its first accolade after scooping a prestigious Green Flag Award.

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces.

Canal & River Trust, the charity that looks after the barrage, has been working with Tees Active, Tees Valley Wildlife Trust and Stockton Council to formally establish the park.

Lizzie Dealey, of the Canal & River Trust applied for the award on behalf of the group.

She said: ā€œA Green Flag Award comes from a lot of hard work and Iā€™d like to thank and congratulate everyone who works or volunteers for Canal & River Trust, Tees Active and Tees Valley Wildlife Trust for their efforts to maintain this attractive, diverse landscape and look after the amazing wildlife that live here.ā€

To mark the award, the barrage will be lit up green until the end of the month.

The Green Flag comes as the barrage itself is half-way through a major renovation project.