TWO community-run parks have been awarded for being among the country’s best.

Twinkle Park in Deptford and Slade Ponds in Plumstead have been given the prestigious Green Pennants awards.

Part of the Green Flag award scheme, the pennants recognise high-quality green spaces that are managed by voluntary and community groups.

Slade Ponds has been maintained by the Plumstead Common Environment Group with support from Greenwich Council.

Speaking after he was given the award by TV presenter Michaela Strachan, group chairman Nick Day said: “It was a very polluted pond when we started work in around 1992.

“The group built two weirs to clean up the water and that’s been very successful so in recent years we’ve decided to do even more work there.”

The 160-member group has introduced native species of plants and wildlife, put in railings and built two floating duck platforms allowing moorhens and mallards to breed.

Regular work sessions and litter picks take place at the site on two Sundays each month The park has now been given a pennant for the third year running.

Mr Day said: “We’ve made the place a beautiful haven for wildlife.

“It’s a hidden gem and those who know it love it.”

Twinkle Park, which is managed by the Twinkle Park Trust and maintained by Greenwich Council, includes 100-year-old plane trees, a pond with dragonflies and a secret pathway.

It also has a gazebo which can be used by residents and youngsters and also hosts summer music performances.

The award scheme, which has already given Green Flags to five Greenwich parks, is run by charities Keep Britain Tidy, GreenSpace and BTCV.