Countryside volunteers are flying the flag with pride once again as a Sidmouth beauty spot has retained its status as one of the best parks in the world.

Connaught Gardens has triumphed in the Green Flag Awards for the fifteenth year running alongside Manor Gardens, Exmouth, and Seaton Wetlands.

It was a record breaking year for the competition as 1,883 UK parks and green spaces received the prestigious award.

The spaces are all owned and managed by East Devon District Council.

Cllr Tom Wright, portfolio holder for the environment, said: “The Green Flag awards for Connaught Gardens in Sidmouth and Manor Gardens in Exmouth are a well-deserved tribute to the volunteers, the respective town ‘in bloom’ teams and the staff of EDDC who work so hard to create and maintain these wonderful gardens that residents and visitors enjoy and value so much. A really outstanding effort by all involved.”