What's your favourite celebrated green space?

A prestigious award that recognises the best green spaces in the UK has been given to nine Dorset parks – and now the scheme wants to know which one is your favourite.

The list of 2018 Green Flag Award winners, which recognises and rewards excellence in recreational spaces as well as encouraging high environmental standards, includes Easton Gardens on Portland, Sandsfoot Gardens in Weymouth, the Borough Gardens in Dorchester, and Thorncombe Wood nature reserve near Dorchester.

Residents are now being asked to vote for which one should make the top spot in the People’s Choice Award for being the UK’s favourite.

Councillor Daryl Turner, Dorset County Council Cabinet member for natural and built environment said:

“Our parks and open spaces are a vital part of what makes Dorset a county where people want to live, work and visit.

“I’m delighted that nine of our green spaces have already been recognised as unique and I’d urge everyone to get involved in the vote as any one of these places are deserving of a national recognition.

“Having somewhere well-maintained and enjoyable to spend time in is beneficial for everyone’s physical and mental wellbeing, so this is a good opportunity to be proud of what Dorset has to offer.”

The Green Flag Award is the national standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales.

The award scheme began in 1996 as a way of recognising and rewarding the best green spaces in the country. It was also seen as a way of encouraging others to achieve the same high environmental standards, creating a benchmark of excellence in recreational green areas.

Awards are given annually and winners must apply each year to renew their Green Flag status.

Paul Todd, Green Flag award manager added: “This year 1,883 parks and green spaces met the tough standards demanded by our Green Flag Award Judges but we want to know which parks the UK public love the most.

“The People’s Choice award is a chance to show how much your favourite park means to you. If it’s worth shouting about, make your voice heard and vote now.”

All you have to do is find your favourite on the winners map available at greenflagaward.org open the park description and click the voting button on the right. When you have voted, people are encouraged to get others involved too through social media using #PeoplesChoice.

Voting closes on September 30, with the top 10 sites in the UK and top ten internationally being announced on October 16.