Rayleigh park is one of the best

The King George V Playing Field picked up the prestigious award last week, which recognises the best parks and green spaces across the country.

The playing field is among a record-breaking 1,447 parks and green spaces that have received the award.

The award is handed out by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.

A Green Flag flying overhead is a sign to visitors that the space boasts the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities.

King George V Playing Field is the only park in the Rochford district that received an award after making the grade.

Councillor Ian Ward, chairman of Rayleigh town council, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive a Green Flag Award for first time.

“This award recognises and highlights that people in Rayleigh arebenefitting from a green space of the very highest quality.

“Many people don’t realise that the Green Flag is the pinnacle award of the Keep Britain Tidy campaign.

“The residents of Rayleigh have not only contributed to keeping their playing field tidy, but their town as well.

“This is a true reward for civic pride.”

In June, nearly 15,000 people were welcomed to the park from across south Essex for Armed Forces Day.

It is also home to a number of sports clubs, including the Rayleigh youth football club.

The club’s chairman, Martin Shields, said: “The park is vital to us.

“We have 150 kids there every Saturday morning, and they’re vital to the development of the club.

“On a Saturday, it’s a sea of kids and their parents.

“We’ve always supported the field in how it’s moved forward.

“We were behind the drainage when that went in and that obviously really benefits the club.”

Paul Todd, from the Green Flag scheme, said: “Quality green spaces are absolutely essential to happy, healthy communities.

“They are fundamental to our quality of life, whether in cities, towns or villages.

“It is so significant that we have given out more awards than ever before.”