One of Cumbria’s most popular green spaces has been given a top award – for the fourth year running.

The team that looks after Silloth Green is celebrating after being handed another Green Flag Award.

They join a record-breaking number – more than 1,600 – of parks and green spaces across the country to receive the award, now celebrating 20 years of recognising the best parks and green spaces across the country.

Councillor Bill Jefferson, chairman of Silloth town council’s parks committee, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive a Green Flag Award for the fourth time and this is already paving the way for the two high- profile Royal Horticultural Society visits to us.

“The Cumbria in Bloom judges have already visited us and while we still await their report, it is clear they have been delighted to find further progress. It is widely known that this year Silloth has been nominated by the RHS to the national shortlist of finalists in the small coastal town category.

“The national judges visit us next Thursday (AUG 4) and final preparations are underway by the Silloth in Bloom community group, to ensure the best possible outcome.”

Volunteers are busy putting the finishing touches to their Britain in Bloom campaign ahead of next week’s inspection. The town is competing against Bute, Filey, Mablethorpe, Newcastle in Ulster, St Brelade and Tenby.

Criteria judges look at will include horticultural achievement, community participation and environmental responsibility,

Three separate park areas – the Green, Harbour Green and Skinburness Green – are collectively known as Silloth Green. The site has been on the receiving end of a £1.2m regeneration programme which finished earlier this year. The Heritage Lottery Fund put forward £1.1m and the Rural Development Programme for England provided £96,000. The town council also contributed.

The overhaul has seen a huge amount of work to the area, including to the Edwardian ladies toilets, the Victorian pagoda, the creation of a water splash play area, an entertainment area, a woodland adventure area, a putting green and a BMX track.

A community garden and rose and bee garden have also proved popular.

The Green is also home to a number of volunteer-run events including Silloth Green Day, the vintage rally, and the music and beer festival.

Mayor Tony Markley said: “This award recognises Silloth Green as a well-managed, high-quality green space which could not have been achieved without the dedicated work of our town council staff, grounds maintenance team and volunteers.”

A flag-raising ceremony took place yesterday (THU) morning.