Seven locations in Ards and North Down have been presented with the Green Flag Award, including Cairn Wood and Clandeboye Cemetery which have received this prestigious recognition for the first time.

The Green Flag Award is an internationally recognised certification for excellence in environmental quality management for parks and open spaces. In addition to Cairn Wood and Clandeboye Cemetery, other recipients include Kiltonga Nature Reserve (Newtownards), Castle Park (Bangor), Ballymenoch Park (Holywood), Londonderry Park (Newtownards) and Linear Park (Bangor).

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The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Alistair Cathcart, said: "Winning seven Green Flag awards is the most that Ards and North Down has ever received. This is a fantastic achievement and is credit to the Council staff who work so hard in maintaining the high standards of our parks and open spaces, as well as many green-fingered volunteers throughout the Borough."

Parks and open spaces wishing to achieve Green Flag status must have a site management plan in place and be able to demonstrate that they comply with a range of strict criteria including horticultural standards, cleanliness, environmental management, biodiversity, community involvement and safety standards.

Each year, a panel of expert volunteers evaluates management plans and site conditions through a rigorous judging process for the awards. Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, the environmental charity that oversees the scheme in Northern Ireland, announced that 105 Green Flag Awards were given out this year.