Two popular country parks have scooped national awards.
Itchen Valley and Lakeside Country Parks have been awarded Green Flags.
The international quality mark for parks and green spaces forms part of the Keep Britain Tidy charity’s national scheme.
But both country parks are no stranger to the accolade.
Itchen Valley Country Park (Image: Gill Smith)
Lakeside, south of Eastleigh town centre, won its fourth Green Flag in a row, whilst Itchen Valley Country Park in West End is well into its second decade of success in the awards scheme.
Councillor Tonia Craig, Eastleigh Borough Council’s cabinet member for ealth said: “Winning a further two Green Flags for our wonderful country parks is a tribute to the hard work and talent of our Countryside teams.
“The parks play an important role in residents’ well-being and it is great to have confirmation that they are being managed to such high levels of quality.
“With the imminent completion of the huge improvements to Itchen Valley Country Park, they are clearly going from strength to strength."
READ MORE: Southampton parks win prestigious Green Flag Award
Lakeside Country Park boasts an award-winning conference centre and facilities block for users of the lakes and wider park, with a network of trails designed in partnership with the community.
A major programme of improvements is nearing completion at Itchen Valley Country Park.
This has brought new play facilities, community buildings, covered outdoor events space, as well as accessible Changing Places facilities and better picnic areas.
Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: “Itchen Valley and Lakeside are vital green space for communities in Eastleigh Borough 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.”
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