Eight of Wirral's most attractive parks and open spaces have received the prestigious Green Flag award this year.

As part of the government's drive to improve the standards of management and maintenance of parks, the Green Flag Awards recognise top quality parks and green spaces across the country. Winners are judged against stringent assessment criteria and need to be welcoming and well maintained with the support and involvement of the local community.

The eight parks are: Birkenhead Park, Thornton Hough Village Green, Vale Park (New Brighton) and Ashton Park (West Kirby), which all won the award last year and Wirral Country Park, Eastham Country Park, Royden Park and Coronation Gardens (West Kirby) which have all won the award for the first time. Birkenhead Park also retained its accreditation as a Green Heritage Site.

The ceremony will be held in Liverpool today.