FIVE parks in the borough have been awarded for being among the country’s best green spaces.

East Greenwich Pleasaunce, in Chevening Road, Greenwich, and Sutcliffe Park, in Meadowside, Eltham, have been awarded the Green Flag Award for the second year in a row.

And Well Hall Pleasaunce, in Well Hall Road, Eltham, won the award for the seventh consecutive year.

The 4.5 hectare site features landscaped gardens, a Tudor barn, bowling green, moat and variety of water features.

Also receiving an award certificate were Blackheath and Greenwich Park.

Blackheath, which is jointly managed by Lewisham and Greenwich Council, was praised by the award organisers for “its wild, almost rural, landscape”.

The famous heath has four ponds plus areas of remnant acid grassland, which are managed to provide habitats for wildlife.

Green Flags are the national standard for parks and green spaces and the five in Greenwich are just a fraction of the record 1,013 awards given out across the country this year.

The award scheme is run by charities Keep Britain Tidy, GreenSpace and the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers.

Chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy Phil Barton said: ”Congratulations to all the winners, who should be very proud of their Green Flag Award.

“It is difficult to achieve, and these record numbers are a testament to the efforts of parks and green space managers, their staff and communities throughout the country.”

For more information on Green Flags visit greenflagaward.org.uk