A GROUP of park keepers are battling it out to prove they are the best park team in the country.

Lewisham's 32 park keepers have until the end of the month to find out if they have won the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) competition.

The CABE is a statutory body advising to the Government on architecture and planning of open space.

The team is up against boroughs including Islington and Leeds.

Judges from the CABE were impressed by Lewisham's work to introduce dedicated park keepers to the borough's 46 parks five-days-a-week and the way it has reduced levels of anti-social behaviour.

Acting director of CABE Edward Hobson said: "They show how a modern parkforce can put parks back at the heart of vibrant urban communities."

Winners of the competition, which is in its first year, will be presented with a trophy and be given the title of Britain's Best Parkforce for 12 months.