DORCHESTER'S Borough Gardens has won its 12th consecutive Green Flag award, being recognised as one of the very best outdoor spaces in the country.

The international award is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

The Borough Gardens joins a record-breaking 1,970 parks and green spaces from around the UK to win the award.

Mayor of Dorchester, Cllr Richard Biggs said: “It is fantastic to secure the award again, it recognises the effort put in by our gardeners and outdoor services team – and importantly it endorses the gardens as a nationally recognised open space of quality.

“Dorchester Town Council is very proud of the gardens and the facilities they provide to both townspeople and visitors alike.”

He added: “The gardens have a fantastic reputation and we will continue to keep them maintained to a high standard and provide a wide range of excellent free events throughout the summer to for people to come and enjoy.”

The Borough Gardens are open daily from 7.30am to dusk and has a refreshment kiosk open from 11.30am. The park boasts a large play area with water spouts, outdoor table tennis, exercise equipment, picnic tables, open grass areas, mature trees offering shade and classical garden features such as the fountain, gardens clock and a bandstand, around which many events are focussed.

Candidates for a Green Flag award are judged as part of a two-stage process.

The first stage is a desk assessment where judges will assess the site-specific management plan and a response to judges’ feedback from the previous year (if not a first application).

The second stage is a full site assessment, with experienced judges questioning site staff, volunteers and visitors.

A score of 66 out of 100 is needed to gain the Green Flag accreditation, with a maximum of 30 points awarded during the first stage and 70 during the second stage.

International Green Flag award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “It’s fantastic that we have more Green Flag awards in the UK than ever before, joined this year by 131 international winners.

“Each flag honours the thousands of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award – we congratulate each and every winner on their fantastic achievement.”