Mansfield’s Bentinck Memorial was lit up green last night to mark the district’s success in the annual Green Flag Awards.

Seven council parks and Local Nature Reserves were revealed to have again won the prestigious awards, which recognise the best parks and green spaces across the country.

They include five parks – Carr Bank, Titchfield and King George V, all in Mansfield, plus Peafield and Yeoman Hill, in Mansfield Woodhouse – and Local Nature Reserves at Quarry Lane, Mansfield, and The Carrs, Warsop.

Coun Andy Burgin, portfolio holder for the environment, said: “Over the past seven months I am sure everyone has really been able to appreciate the importance of public open spaces and no more so than in Mansfield, which is blessed with some special parks and nature reserves.

“Gaining Green Flags are a sign of just how high the standards of our local facilities are and how beautifully maintained they are, too.

“We are so proud of our parks team and our many friends’ groups, who do a fantastic job of caring for the council’s 150 parks and open spaces, covering a total of 260 hectares, all year round.”

The council said the good news was all the more pleasing because parks staff have been working hard, and in challenging circumstances, to support vital council services such as waste and recycling since the start of the pandemic.

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