Westminster's parks win awards

Westminster's award-winners include a tiny churchyard in the heart of the West End, a 19th century graveyard used as a burial site for prostitutes and paupers in Victoria and a state of the art sports ground in Paddington.

It is the second year running Westminster has finished top of London's Green Flag league table.

Awarded by Keep Britain Tidy, the flags are seen as the gold standard for public spaces that are welcoming, safe and well maintained.

Westminster's winning parks and open spaces include: Victoria Embankment Gardens, which in summer contains spectacular and colourful flower beds, including tropical displays, serves thousands of daily visitors, workers, tourists and local residents who come to enjoy the facilities and the free summer performances at the bandstand.

St Anne's Churchyard in Soho which is home to an futuristic egg shaped "toilet pod" that doubles as a community art gallery.

It was designed for local children, community groups and disabled users who can find it difficult to locate a suitable toilet in the area.

The churchyard is the smallest park in the UK to win a Green Flag award.

Paddington Recreation Ground, in Randolph Avenue, North Paddington, Westminster Council's largest area of park land, is used by a million people a year, and boasts state of the art astro turf football pitches following a multi-million pound redevelopment programme.

The ground is also recognised as an official site of local importance for nature conservation and is set to have a new wetland environmental area to attract dragonflies, water voles and frogs.

St John's Gardens in Horseferry Road, Pimlico, is another of Westminster's prize attractions.

Bathed in history, the cemetery was once a popular burial ground for the poor folk in London, particular prostitutes and beggars, and to this day the ground is a few feet higher than the surrounding area due to its popularity as a final resting place.

Cllr Lee Rowley, Westminster's lead member for parks, said: "This is an incredible achievement for Westminster, and reflects the hard work put in making use of the limited open space available in one of the most populated boroughs in London.

"Despite the pressures of space in Westminster, and the demands placed on our services by the influx of a million people a day, our parks allow our residents and visitors to swap the hustle and bustle of the city for some peace, tranquilly and relaxation."

There are an additional six sites within Westminster that have also been awarded Green Flag status including the five Royal Parks, and Lillington and Longmoore Gardens Estate in Pimlico which is run by the council's housing body, CityWest Homes.

Phil Barton, chief executive at Keep Britain Tidy, said: "I would particularly like to congratulate Westminster who have worked hard throughout the year to keep their parks to a high standard and ensure they are pleasant and enjoyable spaces for the whole community."

Emboldened by its recent achievements, Westminster aims to increase the number of Green Flag awards won in the borough next year by a further five through more improvements and innovative ideas to make use of the open green space hidden in London.