County Armagh's Slieve Gullion Forest Park has been recognised with a prestigious award for its range of facilities and accessibility for locals and visitors.

The park secured the Royal Forestry Society's 'Community Woodlands Award', representing how well the destination has developed into a hub for visitor experiences, recreation, well-being, volunteering, learning and skills development since the late 1990s.

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Commenting on the award during a recent visit, DAERA Minister Edwin Poots said: "The Royal Forestry Society's 'Community Woodlands Award' demonstrates the tremendous work undertaken on a daily basis within Slieve Gullion Forest Park at community level in partnership with staff from Forest Service and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.

"Upon walking the trails it is clear to see the fantastic facilities available to all ages and this has resulted in an increase in visitor numbers to Slieve Gullion from 30-40,000 per year to 3-400,000 over the past number of years.

"Our forest parks benefit our health and wellbeing, particularly during the height of the Covid pandemic, and I wish to congratulate Forest Service on the Award and making our forest parks accessible to all."