WIRRAL now boasts more Green Flag parks and open spaces than any other local authority in the North West.

The Green Flag award winners are unveiled today and of the 1,582 UK parks, cemeteries, universities, shopping centres and community gardens in the UK that were adjudged to have met the exacting standards required, 22 of them are in Wirral.

In addition to 20 council-run parks and open spaces that have received Green Flag Awards this year, two others – Tam O’Shanter Urban Farm and New Ferry Butterfly Park – have achieved Green Flag Community Awards.

It means Wirral has increased the number of Green Flag sites in the borough for the fourth year in a row, meaning the borough now has more Green Flags that any other individual local authority area in the whole of the North West region.

Cllr Chris Meaden, cabinet member for leisure, sport and culture, said: "We are so proud once again of these achievements.

"Our parks and green spaces are so important for the identity of the borough and lie right at the heart of our communities.

"Everyone has a key role to play in setting and maintaining the high standards required to earn a Green Flag. I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has done their bit this year."

The places in Wirral that will be able to fly the Green Flag for the first time in 2015 are Queens Park in Hoylake, Mayer Park in Bebington and Rake Lane Cemetery in Wallasey.

Mike Foster, Chair of the Friends of Hoylake and Meols in Bloom group, whose hard work and tenacity was a crucial factor in Queens Park’s achievement, added: "This is amazing news for everyone who has been involved in transforming Queens Park over the last few years; local people and businesses that have given their time and services free of charge to make it a local park to be proud of.

"Receiving the Green Flag for the first time feels like a just reward for this hard work and we can't wait to see it flying over the park."

Wirral has received 24 awards this year as, in addition to the Green Flag Park Award, Birkenhead Park once again retained its Green Heritage Site accreditation.

This is an award sponsored by Historic England and given in recognition of high standards of work in the management and interpretation of a site with local or national historic importance.

New Ferry Butterfly Park also doubled up this year scooping a 'Bees Needs' Special Award for Innovation from the Green Flag Award panel in recognition of its commitment to encouraging and increasing pollinator-friendly habitats and food sources there throughout the year.

This year's Wirral Green Flag Award winners are:

  • Ashton Park, Wirral West
  • Bidston Hill, Birkenhead
  • Birkenhead Park, Birkenhead
  • Brotherton Park and Dibbinsdale Local Nature Reserve, Wirral South
  • Central Park, Wallasey  
  • Coronation Gardens, Wirral West
  • Eastham Country Park, Wirral South
  • Hilbre Islands Local Nature Reserve, Wirral West · Mayer Park, Wirral South
  • Meols Park, Wirral West
  • North Wirral Coastal Park, Wallasey
  • Queens Park, Wirral West
  • Rake Lane Cemetery, Wallasey
  • Royden Park, Wirral West
  • The Arno, Birkenhead
  • Thornton Hough Village Green 
  • Vale Park, Wallasey
  • Victoria Gardens, Wirral West
  • Victoria Park, Birkenhead
  • Wirral Country Park, Wirral West

Green Flag Community Award winners are:

  • New Ferry Butterfly Park (managed by Cheshire Wildlife Trust)
  • Tam O'Shanter Urban Farm (managed by Tam O’Shanter Urban Farm Trust)

Green Heritage Accreditation 2015:

  • Birkenhead Park