AN historic park in the heart of Woodbridge has today been awarded a prestigious Green Flag – for the fourth year running.Elmhurst Park received the honour from the Civic Trust and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for meeting the national standards for parks and green spaces.

AN historic park in the heart of Woodbridge has today been awarded a prestigious Green Flag - for the fourth year running.

Elmhurst Park received the honour from the Civic Trust and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for meeting the national standards for parks and green spaces. It has won the award more times than any other park in the UK.

Woodbridge mayor Martin Sylvester was delighted at the park's success, making it one of the top 200 parks in the country.

He felt the award was all the more prestigious for Woodbridge as the town council - which owns and looks after the park - was a small organisation, with only five staff, but had consistently competed and won against much bigger parks and organisations.

There are eight criteria which Green Flag judges assess - including whether the park is welcoming; healthy, safe and secure; well maintained and clean; heritage and conservation; community involvement; marketing; and management.

Judges said Elmhurst Park was "maintained and managed to a high standard by committed and knowledgeable staff - the town council has a park of which they are justifiably proud and it is most certainly a jewel in the crown of Woodbridge".

The judges were also impressed a friends group had been formed with the aim of becoming involved in the park's long-term management and maintenance.

For further details of the park or how to join the friends, people can ring town clerk Chris Walker on 01394 383599 or email chris@woodbridge-suffolk.gov.uk