SIX Bradford parks have retained their prestigious "Green Flag" status.

The title is awarded to the UK's best parks, and today it has been announced that Harold Park in Low Moor, Peel Park in Undercliffe, Lister Park in Manningham, Roberts Park in Saltaire, Cliff Castle Park in Keighley,and Central Park in Haworth have retained their titles.

Tonight, City Hall, Margaret McMillan Tower and the Forster Arches in Bradford city centre will be joining buildings and landmarks across the country, including the White Cliffs of Dover, the London Stadium and Salford’s Media City, going green to celebrate Green Flag Award success and to say a massive thank you to the staff, volunteers and the Green Flag Award judges for all their work this year.

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for their management across the United Kingdom and around the world.

Bradford’s parks are among more than 2,000 sites across the country to collect the award for 2020.

Cliffe Castle Park has also retained its much-coveted Green Heritage Site Accreditation for its management of the historic features.

The accreditation is supported by Historic England.

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Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: "This is great news in the middle of the many challenges we have faced this year.

“In the grip of a global pandemic, the importance of parks and green spaces has rocketed as they became one of the few places people could constantly visit during the various stages of lockdown.

“We know how much quality green spaces matter to residents and visitors, and our hard-working staff try their best to maintain the highest standards possible.

“Awards like this also provide an opportunity for us to recognise how much we value the contribution made by volunteers in the various friends groups who help to keep our parks looking their best.

"We are fortunate to have such beautiful parks in our district and they are great places to improve people’s mental and physical well-being.”

Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said: “This year, more than ever, our parks and green spaces have been a lifeline and we know that millions of people have used them to relax, meet friends, exercise or simply escape for a short time.

“It is testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of staff and volunteers that, despite the challenges that went along with record numbers of visitors, six Bradford parks have achieved the highest international standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”