Mansfield will receive a Purple Flag after the town centre was officially recognised as a safe place to go out at night.

The award — similar to the Blue Flag for beaches — was made following two visits by the Association of Town and City Management.

They recognised the efforts of Mansfield Association of Licensed Venues, Mansfield BID, Mansfield District Council, Mansfield Partnership Against Crime and the police, who got together to work for the award last year.

Improvements to the town centre included free wi-fi, £50,000 signage work, bigger bins, better lighting, street pastors, marshals, an evening entertainment brochure, the promotion of evening buses and four evening markets a year.

Designated Public Place Orders have been introduced, to allow police to order people to leave town centre areas if they are deemed to be drunk or acting disorderly.

The Purple Flag steering group in Mansfield believe positive publicity and increased visitors that are expected from winning the award will help create jobs and an increased vibrancy about the town.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Sarah Nelson, BID manager, said: “Everyone who has been involved in the work is delighted. The hard work has paid off.

“Mansfield has an outdated reputation for being somewhere to avoid in the evening and the award will help prove to everyone that this is not the case.

“There is a wide range of activities to enjoy in a safe and friendly environment. We hope those who already enjoy its theatre, library, heritage, restaurants and leisure facilities will tell as many people as possible what a great place Mansfield is.”

Chief Insp Neil Williams said: “Nottinghamshire Police work hard, together with our partners, to ensure that people who visit and work in our night-time economies are kept safe and the award is testament to the fact Mansfield is a pleasant place to visit.

“We are grateful for all the hard work from the Purple Flag partnership.”