Ashby de la Zouch Town Council is celebrating a 'huge achievement' after receiving a Green Flag Award for the Bath Grounds.

The historic Ashby parkland has again achieved the accreditation which is the international quality mark for parks and green space.

The council says it is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that care for the Bath Grounds so that visitors and residents alike can enjoy it.

Keep Britain Tidy's Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: "I would like to congratulate everyone involved at the Bath Grounds on achieving a Green Flag Award.

"The Bath Grounds is a vital green space for communities in Ashby de la Zouch to socialise, enjoy nature, for children to play safely and it provides important opportunities for park users to improve their physical and mental health.

"We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award, everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.

"It is important that our free-to-use spaces are maintained to the Green Flag Award standard, making them accessible for all members of the community while ensuring the environment is protected."

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

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

"This year we have continued with our quest to encourage biodiversity, including identifying areas within the park for rewilding, planting fruit trees and planting shrubs that attract bees and other insects.

"Following the results of our 2022 survey, we have also installed a children's play trail.

"We have recently undertaken a second survey which will help us to develop our long-term strategy for the Bath Grounds." 

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, 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.