Green awards for top parks

More than 180 parks and green spaces are to receive environmental awards, it emerged this week. A total of 182 parks in England and Wales will fly the Civic Trust's Green Flag over the next year, 57 more than received the award last year. The Green Flag Award, which has been running since 1997, recognises high standards of management in country parks, town centres, nature reserves and woodlands, and their contribution to quality of life. Sheffield's Peace Gardens is one of 72 winners to receive the award for the first time.