WALLINGFORD Castle Meadows has been awarded a Green Flag by the Keep Britain Tidy campaign for the seventh year running and has received green heritage site status for the first time.

The awards mark out the 16 hectares of hay meadow and floodplain on the banks of the River Thames as one of the best green spaces in the country.

Only seven other sites in South East England were granted green heritage status, which is sponsored by English Heritage.

Wallingford Castle Meadows is managed by conservation charity Earth Trust, which also runs the Wittenham Clumps site, on behalf of South Oxfordshire District Council.

Charity chief executive Jayne Manley said: “We’re delighted that Wallingford Castle Meadows has received the Green Flag award for the seventh consecutive year.

“To receive the green heritage site accreditation as well is the icing on the cake.

“It’s a fantastic way to say thank you to all the local people and volunteers who work so hard.”

South Oxfordshire cabinet member for parks, David Dodds, said: “It’s always an honour to receive the Green Flag award.

“The fact that Wallingford Castle Meadows has won it for the seventh year in a row is testament to the ongoing work and dedication of the Earth Trust, the council, and the volunteers who help keep the meadows as a thriving green space in the town.”

The Green Flag awards have been running since 1996.

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