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

Cornmill Gardens, in Loampit Vale, Manor House Gardens in Hither Green, and Lewisham’s Brookmill Park, in Wearside Road, were among those awarded Green Flags.

Other parks to receive an award, include Chinbrook Meadows in Grove Park, Bellingham Green in Bellingham, Telegraph Hill Park in New Cross, Lee’s Manor Park, and Sydenham Wells Park in Sydenham.

Both Blackheath and Ladywell Fields received the award for the first time this year.

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

Councillor Susan Wise and staff from Lewisham Council received the awards at a ceremony held in Bournemouth, on 23 July.

Cllr Wise, cabinet member for customer services, said: “I’m extremely proud of our success.

“Lewisham’s Green Flag success could never be achieved without the support and commitment of local communities, who engage with the Council to help make its green spaces better places.”

Green Flags are the national standard for parks and green spaces and the ten in Lewisham 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.”

Last year, Lewisham was awarded eight green flags.

The borough boasts 45 parks, green spaces and nature reserves.

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