ENFIELD'S troubled parks service is being shortlisted for government recognition as a shining example to other local authorities.o

The Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) is considering handing the council 'beacon status' in its Improving Urban Green Spaces.

This is despite council officers admitting in a parks report that none of Enfield's green spaces had been recognised by the Green Flag Award, the main national quality award for park land.

The report also mentions the fact that the parks staff has been slashed from 300 in the 1980s to just 150 at present.

Yet the council maintains 123 green spaces in the borough.

Cllr Bambos Charalambous, cabinet member for leisure, was delighted at being shortlisted: "We are very proud of the open spaces in Enfield. Not only do we have some great country parks we have some attractive parks in urban areas of the borough such as Pymmes Park in Edmonton.

"While it would be great to be awarded 'beacon status' next year being shortlisted is an achievement in itself."

The council has failed with four previous submissions for government 'beacon status'.

The submissions were for education, modern service delivery, housing maintenance and independent living for older people.

Council officials are currently seeking to submit an application to the Home Office to change the bylaws in the borough's parks.

The DTLR will announce its high standard 'beacon status' awards in April next year.