Flags have been raised over the sunken gardens on Loch Promenade and in Noble’s Park after Douglas Borough Council was awarded Green Flag accreditation for both sites by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.

Council leader Councillor David Christian has said that winning the two Green Flags at the first attempt had served to inspire the Council to aim for accreditation for more of its green spaces, such as one of its garden squares, in the future, while regeneration and community advisory committee lead member Councillor Stephen Pitts expressed his delight that the hard work and dedication of the parks and gardens team had been so publicly recognised by the Green Flag’s international panel of judges.

Photo - sunken gardens team Stephen Bagnall, Peter Christian and David Kelly with Council leader Councillor David Christian and head of parks David Hewes. Right-hand flag: assistant head of parks Graham Newsome and regeneration and community advisory committee lead member Councillor Stephen Pitts with Noble’s Park team Dave Gaggs, Andrew Hockaday, Peter Cowin, Dave Mahon and Andy Sayle. Picture Andrew Barton.