A LOCAL park in Chelmsford has received an international award for its seventh year in a row.

Priory Fields in Bicknacre has received the Green Flag Award alongside 1,797 other UK parks in a record breaking year.

This year, more parks in the UK have received the award than ever before.

Speaking on the award, Ian Read, Chairman of the Friends of Priory Fields, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive a Green Flag Award for the seventh consecutive year. We know how much quality green spaces matter to residents and visitors, and this award celebrates the dedication of all our volunteers that goes into maintaining Priory Fields to such a high standard."

Priory Fields is set in an around 27-acre space of meadow land and trees behind the Priory Primary School. 

Within the park are the remains of the Bicknacre Priory, believed to be built in 1250 is the centrepiece of the park which has been commended for maintaining high environmental friendliness and for how well it has been maintained.

The Green Flag Award Scheme has been running over the course of three decades now.

Paul Todd, International Green Flag Award scheme manager said: “Each flag is a celebration of the thousands of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award."

Mr Todd continued to speak on the importance of parks in the modern day.

He said: "The success of the scheme, especially in these challenging times, demonstrates just how much parks matter to people.”