Lydiard Park has been recognised by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy as one of the very best in the world - and is now the proud owner of a new flag to prove it.

The Swindon Borough Council-owned park is among a record-breaking 1,797 parks and green spaces that this week received the Green Flag Award.

This international award, now into its third decade, is a sign to the public that the space boasts the “highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities”.

The park will also be receiving the Green Heritage Site Accreditation, which is sponsored by English Heritage and recognises the care and upkeep of historic sites.

Lydiard Park has 260 acres of lawns, woodlands and pasture. The restored state rooms of the Palladian house, the Walled Garden and children’s play area are open all year round offering a quality experience for visitors of all ages. There is also an events programme with plenty to offer for 2017.

Coun Garry Perkins, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for Lydiard Park, said: “We all know in Swindon what a fantastic park we have in Lydiard, so it is always great when it receives external recognition.

“Lydiard has held a Green Flag for many years now and I would like to thank all our staff and volunteers for keeping the park in such a fantastic condition for people to enjoy.”

International Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme.

“Each flag is a celebration of the thousands of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award. The success of the scheme, especially in these challenging times, demonstrates just how much parks matter to people.”

The award comes after it was announced that Lydiard Park and House are to stay in community hands after the council’s cabinet voted to confirm the Lydiard Park Heritage Trust as its preferred bidder in May.

Chairman of the Trust, Mike Bowden, said: “The preservation of Swindon’s rich heritage is so important and I hope we have persuaded many that a well organised charitable trust may be a useful template for other heritage challenges in Swindon.”