More than 50 parks and green spaces have been awarded a Green Flag award by Keep Scotland Beautiful, the charity has said.

The Green Flag Award is the benchmark for a quality green space, and this year, the awards have been made to parks and gardens run by local authorities, a university and a community group.

In total, 51 parks have received an award, an increase from 44 last year.

Aberdeen City Council and South Lanarkshire Council were awarded for the first time for Duthrie Park and Strathaven Park respectively.

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Parks are assessed by volunteer judges who usually have a background in parks management, conservation or ecology, and judge against eight criteria testing whether the park or green space is:

• welcoming
• healthy, safe and secure
• clean and well-maintained
• sustainable
• manages conservation and heritage
• has community involvement
• markets itself
• has good management.

Carole Noble, Head of Environmental Services for Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: "This is a real success story for Scotland - we now have over 50 Green Flag parks for the first time.

"We're very proud of the local authorities and other park managers, and particularly of the army of local volunteers who work all year round in rain or shine to make Scottish parks beautiful.

"Just like in our other campaigns such as Clean Up Scotland and Beautiful Scotland, great people make great places, and these awards are for them."

(JP)