PEOPLE who help look after public green spaces in Keighley district judged to be among the best in the UK have welcomed winning official recognition for their work.

Keighley’s Cliffe Castle Park and Haworth’s Central Park were among six Bradford district parks to recently receive a prestigious Green Flag Award from the Keep Britain Tidy charity.

Both areas are owned by Bradford Council, but each also has its own team of volunteers who give up their time to enhance these parks.

The Green Flag scheme, run on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, is the benchmark national standard for parks and green spaces in the UK.

The judging took place earlier this year.

The inclusion of Cliffe Castle Park follows the Heritage Lottery Funded refurbishment work and re-opening last Christmas.

New fountains, a pond, pathways, benches, a children’s adventure play area and a fully renovated conservatory and cafe have been introduced to the park.

Reacting to the Green Flag confirmation a spokesman for the voluntary Cliffe Castle Park Conservation Group said: “We are delighted that the park has achieved Green Flag status.

“This award is not given lightly and shows just how much work has been put into the park to bring it alive again for everyone.

“We thank the park’s heritage officer and his staff and volunteers for all their efforts.”

Members of the Friends of Haworth Central Park along with staff from Bradford Council’s Parks department gathered outside the village park’s main entrance last week to celebrate this attraction retaining its coveted Green Flag for an impressive 11th successive year.

Chairman of the Friends Group, Gillian Hill, said: “We have worked in partnership with Bradford Parks and Landscapes Department.

“Despite continuing financial restraints, our work together has seen projects such as the Memory Garden going forward.

“And we’ve maintained this English Heritage grade II listed park in such good condition it’s enabled us to win this prestigious award for a further year.”

The Green Flag award scheme, 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.

Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “We are fortunate to have such beautiful parks in our district and they are great places to spend time with family and friends.

“There are some fantastic events planned in our parks over the summer.”