Parks across Suffolk have been recognised with a prestigious award that shows off the high standards of green spaces across the country. 

Thirteen parks across the county have received a Green Flag award, the international quality mark for parks and green spaces, while two others have also been recognised with community awards. 

Aspal Close in Beck Row, Brandon Country Park, Nowton Park in Bury St Edmunds and East Town Park in Haverhill were recognised by the scheme, the fourth year in a row the council is celebrating all of them being honoured. 

Lowestoft Journal: People flock to Nowton Park in the warm weatherPeople flock to Nowton Park in the warm weather (Image: Newsquest)

The Abbey Gardens and West Stow Country Park also received the award.

Cllr Ian Shipp, West Suffolk Council cabinet member for leisure said: “Our fantastic parks and open spaces are places for people to connect to the natural environment and these Green Flag awards show that they are being managed to the highest standard for amenity and biodiversity."

Lowestoft Journal: Holywells Park is one of three parks in Ipswich to be recognisedHolywells Park is one of three parks in Ipswich to be recognised (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown)

In Ipswich, Bourne Park, Christchurch Park and Holywells Park have all received a Green Flag award. 

Alton Water, near Holbrook, has been recognised with both a Green Flag award and Green Heritage accreditation. 

Felixstowe Seafront Gardens, Woods Meadow Country Park in Oulton Broad and Nicholas Everitt Park in east Suffolk have also received Green Flag awards. 

Dyehousefield Wood, which is run by Lavenham Woodland Project, was also recognised with a Green Flag community award. 

Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, said: “Our parks continue to provide a vital sanctuary for communities to play, grow and bond.

“The news that a record number of parks in the UK have achieved the Green Flag Award standard reflects the tireless work of those tasked with looking after these national assets.

"Parks play a key role in the health and wellbeing of the nation not only in the physical and mental health of us all, but also in the environmental health of the planet."