THERE'S even more reason to get out and enjoy the sunshine with the news Ealing's parks have reaped more new Green Flags than any other borough in the country.

The seven first time winners of the environmental award, were Bramley Road Open Space, Brent Lodge Park and Churchfields, King George’s Playing Field, North Acton Playing Fields, Pitshanger Park, Ravenor Park and Southall Manor House Grounds.

Acton Park and Northala Fields are also flying the flag for the second year running.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "Our many parks are one of the reasons that Ealing is a sought after place to live, work and visit. It is so important all is done to make them beautiful, natural havens within the urbanised landscape of Ealing.

"We’re ambitious and committed to investing money and effort to ensure our parks offer tranquillity as well as being spaces that residents can enjoy through play and leisure. We are very proud to have been awarded the largest increase of new Green Flags in 2013, and will work towards entering even more parks next year."

Councillor Ann Chapman, shadow member for parks, said Ealing is rightly praised and valued for its many high quality green spaces.

Further improvements to the borough’s green spaces are planned, with £440,000 set aside this financial year to carry out a range of upgrades, in addition to £135,000 carried forward from last year and a further £200,000 to update or build new playgrounds.

Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy unveiled last week that more sites than ever before had gained the status in 2013.

Throughout the UK, there were 1,448 award winning green spaces, up from 1,424 last year.

The awards are judged annually by a team of 800 volunteer experts who visit applicant sites and assess them against eight criteria, including cleanliness, sustainability and conservation.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award manager Paul Todd said: “The parks sector is facing tough challenges, particularly with the cuts that local authorities are implementing, so it is heartening to see that they are committed to maintaining and improving standards in our nation’s green space and this is shown by the number of sites that are meeting the Green Flag Award standard.”

For more information, visit www.greenflag.keepbritaintidy.org .