Alsager's Milton Park is among seven green spaces across the borough to be awarded a Green Flag Award.

The award comes in a year when more people than ever have come to recognise the importance of green spaces within the town.

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces.

Milton Park provides leisure opportunities for all age groups with the skate park, children's playground, football pitch, lovely paths and garden features such as the rose garden and the sunken garden.

Cllr Laura Crane, Cheshire East Council's cabinet member with responsibility for green space, said: "I'm delighted that our beautiful parks have been recognised in this prestigious way.

"This year has been a very challenging year for everyone, with our public open spaces being a lifeline for many.

"To be able to continue to care for such precious historic sites in such difficult circumstances is a real demonstration of the dedication of our staff and volunteers."

Commenting on Cheshire East's success, Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, said: "This year, more than ever, our parks and green spaces have been a lifeline and we know that millions of people have used them to relax, meet friends, exercise or simply escape for a short time."

A Cheshire East Council spokesperson said: "It is testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of parks staff and volunteers that, despite the challenges that went along with record numbers of visitors, Cheshire East, along with Ansa Environmental Services and the Friends of the Park groups have achieved the highest of standards."

Congleton Park, Sandbach Park and Queen's Park in Crewe are among six other parks and green spaces in Cheshire East that will be able to raise Green Flag Awards.

The seven parks are part of 2,000 sites across the country to collect the award for 2020.