Popular parks have received a right royal seal of approval as they are protected for generations to come.
 

As part of the national Queen Elizabeth II Fields in Trust initiative, seven open spaces in Brighton and Hove were put forward by locals for the honour.
 

All of the areas have received the special status, which was launched to coincide with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and London Olympics.
 

The parks are Blakers Park in Preston Drove, Brighton, Carden Park in Carden Hill, Brighton, Hangleton Park in Harmsworth Crescent, Hove, Horsdean Recreation Ground in Vale Avenue, Patcham, Kingsway Bowls and Recreation Ground in Kingsway, Hove, St Nicholas Play Area and Woodingdean Bowls Club and central park in Kipling Avenue.
 

With the deeds now signed, the first to receive a special plaque will be Hangleton Park, which will hold a special family fun day to celebrate the announcement on August 31.
 

Dave Bell, of the Friends of Hangleton Park, said it was “great news”.
 

He added: “It’s a lovely park at the heart of the community and hopefully it will remain that way for years to come.”
 

Pete West, chairman of the council’s environment committee, said: “Our public open spaces already have very high levels of protection and the exciting thing about this scheme is the chance to get more community involvement in what are vital community assets.
 

“We are delighted the deeds have now been sealed.”