A WIRRAL cemetery is flying the Green Flag after the hard work and devotion of its staff and volunteer.

Rake Lane Cemetery in Wallasey is the latest open space in Wirral to receive the coveted award, which recognises and rewards the best green spaces. 

Wallasey team leader Terry Bainbridge, from Wirral Council's parks, allotments and countryside team said: "This is the first one in the North West for a cemetery. The Green Flag is a standard of all the hard work of the Friends group and staff here and all of the other people who do a lot of hard work."

What makes the award even sweeter for the Friends of Rake Lane is that they got it on their first attempt, something not many groups achieve.

"It's a national award and a lot of people get knocked back. It's the best award you can get for a cemetery," said Mr Bainbridge.

"It's the first year they have put in for it and they got it first time - that's down to the people who work hard here and the Friends group."

Mark Joynson, chair of the Friends of Rake Lane said: "We have less staff here than ever before and they do more work than previous amounts of staff did - they're really devoted."

Mr Bainbridge added: "It's like that with park staff all over Wirral. There are depleting numbers but we're getting more Green Flags. There's something to be said for all of the staff in the parks department.

The Friends of Rake Lane formed at the end of 2006 following a sustained attack by vandals who caused irreparable damage to many of the beautifully sculptured gravestones in the cemetery.

Wirral Council spent a considerable sum on improving the security of the perimeter fencing.

More than £60,000 has also been spent - thanks to contributions from various organisations - on renovating the cemetery's chapel, which was originally set to be demolished in 2007.

Rake Lane is known for its many monuments connected with major maritime disasters of the early 20th century, including Titanic, Lusitania and the Empress of Ireland.

Each gravestone tells a story, with guided tours taking place on a regular basis.

One such tour takes place today, Wednesday, as part of the cemetery's Heritage Open Day.

Tours run from 2pm until 4pm.

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.