SEVEN of Hyndburn’s 13 parks and open spaces were yesterday recognised with the national Green Flag award for excellence for the third year running.

Delighted borough leisure boss Ken Moss said the challenge now was to get the other six up to the same status.

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He said: “This is a magnificent achievement but now we have to get the rest of our green spaces up to the same ‘much loved’ standard.”

Lowerfold, Cutwood, Oakhill, Mercer and Gatty Parks, along with Accrington Cemetery and Crematorium and Wilson Playing Fields and Woodlands, have each been awarded a Green Flag – a sign to visitors that they are well-maintained and well-managed, with excellent facilities.

This leaves Memorial, Rhyddings, Milnshaw, Haworth, Peel, Bullough parks to catch up with their counterparts.

In 2013 the ‘magnificent seven’ all got the Green Flag together for the first time – an achievement maintained last year and in yesterday’s awards.

Cllr Moss highlighted the work of local environmental charity PROSPECTS, and various park ‘friends’ groups and volunteers in keeping the parks clan and tidy.

He also said Hyndburn council was drawing up plans and seeking funding to improve Milnshaw Park and Rhyddings Park, where there is a bid in for a£1.46 million makeover using Heritage Lottery Fund cash.

Cllr Ken Moss said: “This is a magnificent achievement to have these parks and open spaces with Green Flag status for the third year running.

“It is a sign that they a much loved.

“Now we are working on getting the other six up to the same standard and status. That is the challenge for us, the groups that support us and the volunteers “We are already drawing up plans and seeking funding for improvements .”