DAZZLING floral displays, green open spaces and a choice of activities for children and young people has earned six parks in south Essex a top national award.

Green Flag awards are handed out once a year to the best parks in the country.

This year Southend is celebrating receiving five, for Belfairs, Chalkwell, Priory, Shoebury and Southchurch parks.

Hadleigh Castle Country Park was also a winner.

The award scheme began in 1996 to recognise and reward the best green spaces in the country.

Winners act as a beacon of excellence for other parks to achieve the same environmental standards.

To win the coveted award, parks need to be welcoming and well maintained, with the support and involvement of the community.

Chalkwell and Shoebury parks are new to the awards list, while Belfairs, Priory and Southchurch received their award for the second year running.

Chalkwell was recognised for its colourful bedding displays, well maintained lawns and herbaceous borders.

Highlights mentioned by the judges were the Sun Garden, a courtyard-style area, the environmental garden and the Rose Garden, which is recognised by the National Rose Society.

Shoebury Park’s floral displays and range of facilities earned it the award, with activities from bowls, fishing and football. Southend Council cabinet member for culture, Derek Jarvis, said: “Southend’s parks have been recognised as among the best in the country for the past eight years.

“We won three Green Flags last year, so to get five this year is just fantastic.

“I would like to congratulate all of the council staff and gardening contractors who work so hard all year round to keep the parks to such a high standard.

“These awards continue to demonstrate our commitment to work with the community, providing good quality parks and open spaces for all to enjoy.”

Belfairs was praised for its leisure and recreation opportunities and cafe, helping it attract all ages. Elsewhere, Priory Park’s horticultural displays and ponds and Southchurch park’s lakes and sports opportunities gave them deserved accolades.

Hadleigh Castle Country Park, which could become the venue of the 2012 Olympics mountain biking, also won a Green Flag.

Judges said: “Whatever the weather there is always plenty to do at the park. In spring, the bluebells, archangel and celandine put on a magnificent display, while summer sees the meadows in bloom with scores of butterflies drifting over, making an ideal spot for a picnic.

“In autumn, the blackberries and sloes are a great attraction and winter brings large flocks of birds to the estuary, as well as the chance to go sledging! “The Iron Age roundhouse welcomes visitors to the main car park. This stunning building has recently been completed by site staff from local timber and is used for our living history educational programme and as a base for the parks events.”

The East of England was awarded 55 flags out of 743 from across the country.

Awards will be presented at a ceremony on Thursday.

Paul Todd, Green Flag Award scheme application manager, said: “The increasing number of Green Flag award-winning parks and green spaces highlight the important role they play in bringing people together and improving their quality of life.”