Hainault Forest Country Park has been awarded the prestigious Green Flag award for a fourth time after losing out last year after it was controversially used for accomodation during the Olympics.

Five other Redbridge parks retained the award, which recognises open spaces across the country for cleanliness, safety, conservation, heritage and community involvement.

Elmhurst Gardens, in Fosters Close, South Woodford, Goodmayes Park, in Green Lane, Goodmayes, Ilford War Memorial, in Eastern Avenue, Newbury Park, South Park, in South Park Road, Ilford, and Valentines Park, in Cranbrook Road, Ilford, are all flying the green flag for visitors.

Cllr Ashok Kumar, cabinet member for culture and leisure, said: “This award recognises and highlights that residents and visitors to Redbridge are benefitting from a green space of the very highest quality.”

Brian Spinks, chairman of the Vision parks and open spaces committee, said the award was testament to the “great work” by staff.