GARDENERS are aiming to help a town council in Suffolk become the first in the country to win prestigious award for open spaces.Woodbridge Town Council has applied for a Green Flag status for Elmhurst Park, off the Thoroughfare, which is sometimes referred to as "the hidden jewel in the crown of Woodbridge".

GARDENERS are aiming to help a town council in Suffolk become the first in the country to win prestigious award for open spaces.

Woodbridge Town Council has applied for a Green Flag status for Elmhurst Park, off the Thoroughfare, which is sometimes referred to as "the hidden jewel in the crown of Woodbridge".

The council's vision for the park is in line with the town motto of ''preservation and progress'' and it says the historic park plays an important role in the life and vitality of the community. Brandon country park has a Green Flag but no town council has the honour.

Lee Nunn, parks and open spaces manager, said the council had submitted the application to the Civic Trust, managers of the Green Flag scheme that is backed by the Government.

''We feel one of the park's greatest strengths is its location, in that it is central and easily accessible. This has allowed us to develop it as a recognised community area for people of any distinction to use and enjoy,'' said Mr Nunn.

Elmhurst Park is owned by the town council and was gifted to the town by Lord Woodbridge in 1935. It covers 1.7 hectares and has more than 40 different tree species. A raised border is planted annually to celebrate an event, or a major park sponsor, and in the spring there are more than 2,000 hyacinth bulbs.

One area of the park is known as Scouts' Corner. A tree was planted there by Lord Peter Baden-Powell in 1957 to commemorate the centenary of the birth of his father Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the scout movement.