Bradgate Park has earned the right to fly a prestigious Green Flag for the first time.

The Green Flag Award Scheme is run by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy which sets the standard for the management of parks and beaches, inspires people to be litter-free, to waste less and live more sustainably.

The attraction - 15 minutes from Coalville - is among more than 2,000 green spaces to be added to the list of the very best parks and beauty spots this year.

Bradgate is one of Leicestershire's most popular parks and the new Green Flag recognition, which also recognises nearby Swithland Woods, is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the teams that make it a great space for everyone to enjoy.

Director of Bradgate Park Trust James Dymond said: "This has been some time coming and we're absolutely delighted that Bradgate passed with flying colours to become one of the newest Green Flag winners.

"Bradgate is renowned for its unparalleled landscapes and interesting history and in the last couple of years we've seen how parks and green spaces have played a vital role for people, so it's brilliant we can now officially say that we're amongst some of the best attractions in the region."

Bradgate Park now joins Leicestershire County Council-run attractions Beacon Hill Country Park, near Loughborough, Market Bosworth Country Park and Snibston Colliery Park in Coalville – all of which are already on the Green Flag list.

The park was given to the people of Leicestershire by landowner Charles Bennion in the 1920s to be run in trust for them and has thrived over the years.

Chair of Bradgate Park Trust Nick Rushton said: "Bradgate Park has long been one of the best parks in Leicestershire pulling in visitors from near and far.

"We're extremely proud to have been accredited with this internationally recognised mark of excellence.

"Parks and outdoor green spaces were a lifeline for people during the Covid-19 pandemic and they continue to be in the limelight supporting the wider environment agenda.

"We are blessed have such rich ecology and wildlife across Leicestershire parks and I'd encourage people to get out and explore the county this summer, taking in the award-winning parks and all they have to offer."

Keep Britain Tidy runs the Green Flag scheme, under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

The environmental charity's accreditation manager Paul Todd said: "I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making [name of site] worthy of a Green Flag Award.

"Bradgate is a vital green space for the community in Leicestershire. This award is testament to all the hard work of staff and volunteers, who do so much to ensure that it maintains the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award."