By Dollie Wilson

A Weymouth park is in the running to become the nation’s favourite.

Radipole Park and Gardens has been nominated for the Fields in Trust UK’s Best Park competition which celebrates and recognises the role that parks play in the community, supporting mental and physical health and bringing people together.

Fields in Trust is a UK-wide charity that legally protects parks and gardens in perpetuity.

Chief Executive Helen Griffiths said: “Our parks and green spaces are a vital part of UK community infrastructure.

“We know that they provide benefits to the physical health, mental wellbeing and community connections for people that use them, so we are delighted to see a record number of nominations for the UK’s Best Park award and it is encouraging to see so many people organising picnics with neighbours to celebrate how much they love their local park.”

A total of 364 parks around the country were nominated, 28 of which are in the South West region.

Winners of the contest will be announced in mid-September.

To vote in the competition visit: fieldsintrust.org/best-park/south-west before noon on Monday, August 19.