FIVE outdoor spaces in South Ayrshire have received a top award from an environmental charity.

Belleisle Park, Rozelle Park, Fullarton Estate, Newton Park and Ayr Cemetery have all been recognised by Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB). 

KSB announced that these locations have been awarded the Green Flag Award, acknowledging quality green open spaces across the country that help to boost the nation's health and wellbeing.

The international Green Flag Award is administered in Scotland by Keep Scotland Beautiful and acts as a benchmark for recreational outdoor space. The award celebrates well-maintained parks and green spaces and supports the opportunities that they provide to enable exercise, improve mental wellbeing and provide safe areas for play – something that has been particularly important to everyone over the last couple of years.

More than 2,200 parks across the UK have achieved the award this year – with a growing number of them in Scotland.

Councillor Martin Kilbride, South Ayrshire Council’s portfolio holder for buildings, housing and environment, said: "I’m delighted that five of our fantastic parks have been recognised by receiving the Green Flag Award.

"Our grounds maintenance team go above and beyond to maintain our parks and green spaces around South Ayrshire, and this is a testament to their continuous hard work.

"I’d also like to thank the range of community groups who help us to keep these areas looking their best."

Jamie Ormiston, beaches and parks officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “I would like to congratulate all of Scotland’s award-winning parks. Receiving this prestigious international benchmark recognises all the hard work that has gone into maintaining and managing these precious green open spaces.

“As the only accreditation for park management of its kind in Scotland, we have supported local authority teams, land managers and communities across Scotland to drive up environmental standards at many of our parks and open spaces for residents and visitors alike.

"Scotland’s parks and open spaces attract thousands of visitors every year and I’d encourage everyone to #RespectProtectEnjoy them this summer."