Ashby's Bath Grounds has once more been awarded the coveted Green Flag Award for a third successive year - as it is officially recognised as one of the country's best parks.

Described as the 'jewel in the crown' of Ashby, the Bath Grounds first achieved the honour two years ago,

The award is noted as the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

After two years that have seen parks and green spaces play a vital role for people through lockdowns as a place to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely, the news that the Bath Grounds has achieved the Green Flag Award recognises the hard work and dedication of the team that make the green space somewhere that everyone can enjoy.

Commenting on the news that the Ashby Bath Grounds has met the Green Flag Award standard, Keep Britain Tidy's Accreditation Manager Paul Todd said: "I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making the Bath Grounds worthy of a Green Flag Award.

"The Bath Grounds is a vital green space for the community in Ashby de la Zouch.

"This award is testament to all the hard work of staff and volunteers, who do so much to ensure that it maintains the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award."

Councillor John Coxon, Leader of Ashby de la Zouch Town Council, said: "I am absolutely delighted that the Town Council has, once again, been successful in its application to retain a Green Flag Award for Ashby Bath Grounds.

The Bath Grounds are well-used and valued by our community and we have shown that running the Bath Ground is about so more than just cutting the grass.

"We have demonstrated that effective management and the use of skilled staff, along with the support of the local community, are key to creating a fantastic public park.

There are very few Town and Parish Councils throughout the UK that have achieved this award. It is something to be really proud of."

Councillor Roger Bayliss, Chairman of the Town Council's Parks & Cemetery Committee added:

"This is another huge achievement for the town and testament to all of the hard work put in over the last few years by the Town Council's grounds maintenance team, the Bath Grounds Advisory Group and many volunteers."

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.