Fife Council is celebrating after four of its parks were presented Green Flag Awards by Keep Scotland Beautiful.

The parks receiving the outstanding recognition are Beveridge Park, Kirkcaldy; Letham Glen, Leven; Silver Sands and Hawkcraig Point, Aberdour and Sugar Acre, Falkland.

Previously, only Beveridge Park had a Green Flag.

The Green Flag Award scheme is the benchmark national standard for parks and green spaces in the UK. It is also seen as a way of encouraging others to achieve high environmental standards, setting a benchmark of excellence in recreational green areas. Green Flag Award applications are judged against eight key criteria. These are:

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• A welcoming place
• Healthy, safe and secure
• Clean and well maintained
• Sustainability
• Conservation and heritage
• Community involvement
• Marketing
• Management

Commenting on the accolades, Provost Leishman said: "We have many beautiful parks right across Fife and to receive Green Flag status for four is fantastic news.

"It comes at a time when we are celebrating 44 days of Summer where we are encouraging people to get out and about and enjoy what Fife has to offer.

"We'd encourage Fifers of all ages to visit one of our fabulous parks and hope these accolades will attract visitors from further afield too."

Peter Howden, Development Manager for Parks and Countryside added: "This is a wonderful achievement for Fife, we've leaped from one to four Green Flags. Despite severe cuts in funding we are still delivering quality services that are receiving national recognition."

(JP/CD)