A park described as the pride of Leyland' today becomes the only green space north of London to receive a prestigious award for 10 years running.

Worden Park has been granted green flag status every year since the award scheme was introduced in 1996.

The announcement by The Civic Trust marks a decade of excellence at the Leyland park, one of only five in the whole of England and Wales to receive a green flag in each year.

Other South Ribble parks have also enjoyed success in the awards which recognise spaces that are welcoming, healthy and safe, clean and well maintained. A team of inspectors tour the country to decide who should receive the prestigious awards.

Nine consecutive awards have now been given to Longton Brickcroft Nature Reserve, and for the third year in a row Hurst Grange Park in Penwortham was recognised.

Improvements at Worden Park have included work to the historic maze and new footpaths, hedging and tree planting schemes, repairs to the balustrade wall around the formal gardens and conservation works to the historic Cedar of Lebanon tree.

The retention of three flags in South Ribble was achieved with the help of Friends' groups at all three sites.

Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, portfolio holder for community services, said: "Worden Park is the jewel in our crown and it's fantastic that it has now been recognised for ten years.

"This really is a tremendous accolade, the North West has the highest number of green flags in England and Wales, and our park is the only one to have been consistently recognised as excellent for an entire decade. We had led the way, and we are incredibly proud."

The tenth anniversary of the scheme will be marked by a major ceremony at the International Conference Centre in Birmingham today, when all winners will be awarded their green flags.

Judging took place at the end of May and beginning of June.