Two Chester parks have been officially recognised as being among the best in the country.

Cheshire West and Chester Council recently celebrated the highest number of green flag awards ever achieved.

The green flag award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

This year each of the council's ten flagship sites have achieved the accreditation, which is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

The achievement is a testament to the work and dedication of the teams, friends of groups and volunteers that care for the borough's green spaces.

In Chester, the green flag award was presented to Grosvenor Park and Westminster Park.

Other recipients also included Caldy Nature Park, Castle Park, Rivacre Valley, Northwich Woodlands, Stanney Fields Park, Whitby Park, Helsby Quarry and the Wirral Way country park.

Councillor Stuart Bingham said: "Our beautiful parks are vital green spaces for the community in west Cheshire, bringing people together and providing opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles.

"Staff, friends of groups and volunteers do so much to ensure that we maintain the high standards of the Green Flag Award and everyone involved should feel extremely proud of this achievement."

Green Flag award scheme manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: "Congratulations to everyone involved in Cheshire West and Chester who have worked tirelessly to ensure that these parks and green spaces achieve the high standards required for the green flag award.

"Quality parks and green spaces make the country a healthier place to live and work in, and a stronger place in which to invest."