GREEN Flags will once again be flying in seven parks this summer as the council celebrates having some of the finest in the country.

Easthill Park, Hove Park, Kipling Gardens, Preston Park, St Ann’s Well Gardens, Stoneham Park and The Level have all been awarded prestigious Green Flags for excellence

The national awards, handed out by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, recognise and reward the best parks and green spaces across the country.

The Green Flags are given to parks which are well maintained and have excellent facilities.

St Ann’s Well Gardens in Hove flies the flag for the 18th year, while Preston Park also celebrates a 18th successive year. Easthill Park in Portslade has picked up its 16th award, Hove Park is celebrating a 14th success while Kipling Gardens in Rottingdean has won its 11th award.

Stoneham Park has picked up its ninth award and the Level is flying the Green Flag for the fifth year running.

Gill Mitchell, chairwoman of Brighton & Hove City Council’s environment committee, said: “It’s fantastic news that we will once again be flying seven Green Flags in parks in Brighton, Hove, Portslade and Rottingdean.”