OSWALDTWISTLE’S newly-refurbished Rhyddings Park has today been recognised as one of the UK’s very best open spaces with a Green Flag award.

It joins Hyndburn Council’s eight other parks in holding the accolade.

Cllr Paul Cox, the borough’s deputy leader said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive a Green Flag Award in Rhyddings Park for the first time, bringing the total Green Flags in Hyndburn up to nine.”

Burnley’s Thompson Park also wins a Green Flag, joining the borough’s five other green spaces which hold the coveted Keep Britain Tidy award.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has no winners of the accolade because, for the second year running, they did not enter any parks due to budget cuts. Rossendale and Ribble Valley also have no Green Flag winners.

Pendle Council has eight successful entrants in the contest for the second year running ­— Alkincoats, Ball Grove, Barrowford, Heyhead, Marsden, Valley Gardens and Walverden as well as Nelson’s Victoria Park.

Burney’s Ightenhill, Padiham Memorial, Queen’s, Scott and Towneley Parks all keep their 2018 Green Flags.

The Hyndburn spaces keeping their 2018 award are Lowerfold Park, Cutwood Park, Oakhill Park, Mercer Park, Gatty Park, Peel Park, Accrington Cemetery and Crematorium, and Wilson Playing Fields and Woodlands.