Two Ipswich parks have again been certified with Green Flag status, awarded to the best green spaces in the country.

Ipswich Star: Visitors, Friends, councilors and staff assemble in the Walled Garden after being awarded Holywells eighth Green Flag. Picture: NICOLE DRURYVisitors, Friends, councilors and staff assemble in the Walled Garden after being awarded Holywells eighth Green Flag. Picture: NICOLE DRURY (Image: Archant)

This means that Christchurch and Holywells Park are among 1,883 places considered the most welcoming and sustainable in the UK.

These parks are popular with tourists and residents, with Christchurch Park often taken over by live events like Ipswich Music Day.

The national Green Flag award, which is made by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, also asseses publicly-owned places like business parks, war memorials and even burial sites.

Councillor Philip Smart, Ipswich Borough Council’s parks and open spaces portfolio holder, said: “Ipswich has some wonderful parks and open spaces and these latest awards demonstrate what our staff, friends of the parks and volunteers can achieve for residents and visitors to enjoy.”