A milestone was reached by the borough of Hounslow after 21 green spaces achieved Green Flag Awards this year.

Five new sites in the borough received Green Flag standard, including; Staveley Road allotment, Chiswick Old Cemetery, Thornbury Park, Jersey Gardens and Hounslow Heath.

Handed out for the past 25 years, the award recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard across the United Kingdom and the world.

Cllr Samia Chaudhary, Hounslow Cabinet Member for Leisure Services, said: "As a result of the last 18 months as residents have spent more time in their local area, the importance of access to high-quality green spaces has become more obvious than ever.

"Working alongside our incredible Friends of parks and community groups, volunteers and staff, the Council made it a priority to not only maintain but truly improve our parks and green spaces, and the collection of 21 awards in 2021 is a testament to everyone's hard work and dedication to our Borough's green assets.

"I would love for residents to be able to make the most of every green space throughout the Borough, and I look forward to continually raising the bar in creating a great greener Hounslow."

Cllr Chaudhary also thanked the council-owned park maintenance company, Lampton GreenSpace 360, for managing the parks.

Twenty of the awards have been given directly to the London Borough of Hounslow, and one is a joint victory shared with neighbour, the London Borough of Richmond.

Green Flag winners in Hounslow:

All Saints Churchyard

Bedfont Lakes

Bridgehouse Pond

Chiswick Old Cemetery

Dukes Meadows

Heston Park

Inwood Park

Lampton Park

Staverley Allotments

St Johns Gardens

Turnham Green

A record number of parks achieved the Green Flag standard this year, with over 2,000 across the UK.

Commenting on the announcement of this year's winners, Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, said: "At a time when parks have been at the heart of every community across the country, it is perhaps not surprising that 95% of the public thinks that their local parks and green spaces need to be protected.

"This is why the Green Flag Award is so important.

"It ensures that parks and green spaces are managed to the highest standards and are safe and accessible for everyone to enjoy and we look forward to the next 25 years."