Three beauty spots in Weymouth and Portland have won prestigious awards – and recognised as being among the UK’s very best green spaces. Sandsfoot and Greenhill Gardens in Weymouth along with Easton Gardens on Portland have all been recognised by the Green Flag Award Scheme as being among the very best in the world.

The gardens are part of a record-breaking 1,883 UK parks and green spaces that will receive a prestigious Green Flag Award – the mark of a quality park or green space.

This international award, now into its third decade, is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

The Echo reported earlier this week that the Borough Gardens in Dorchester had also received the Green Flag Award.

Cllr Kate Wheller, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s Briefholder for Community Facilities, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive a Green Flag Award.

“We know how much quality green spaces matter to residents and visitors, and this award celebrates the dedication that goes into maintaining the gardens to such a high standard. I would personally like to thank our dedicated parks team and the wonderful support we receive from the Friends of the Gardens.”

International Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme, with more Green Flags awarded this year than last year.”

“Each flag honours the thousands of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award. We are proud to have so many wonderful green spaces in the UK for people to enjoy, and hope that next year, we award even more flags.”

The Green Flag Awards Scheme is run by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful, Keep Wales Tidy and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.

Keep Britain Tidy runs programmes including Eco-Schools, the Green Flag Award for parks and green spaces and the Blue Flag/ Seaside Awards for beaches. Find out more about Keep Britain Tidy, its programmes and campaigns at: www.keepbritaintidy.org