PARKS across Dudley, Halesowen and Stourbridge have been honoured with a top international award, singling them out as some of the best kept green spaces in the country.

Priory Park, Buffery Park and Wrens Nest National Nature Reserve in Dudley; Mary Stevens Park in Stourbridge; Leasowes Park in Halesowen and Silver Jubilee Park in Coseley have all won the coveted Green Flag Award.

The international award, handed out by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, recognises and rewards the best parks and green spaces across the UK.

Priory Park and Mary Stevens Park have also received the much coveted additional Green Heritage Site Accreditation for the management of historic features at the two beauty spots.

Abbey Road Allotments in Halesowen also won the Green Flag Community Award in celebration of the effort put in by voluntary and community groups to look after the site.

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for environmental, highways and street services, said: "We are absolutely delighted that six of our parks have received a Green Flag Award, along with the deserved recognition for the brilliant volunteers down at Abbey Road Allotments.

"We are particularly excited about the Green Heritage awards, which recognise the drive to preserve and celebrate our unique history."

International Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: "It’s fantastic that we have more Green Flag Awards in the UK than ever before.

"Each flag honours the thousands of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.

"We congratulate each and every winner on their fantastic achievement."