Pride in our park - Green Flag celebrations for Memorial Garden

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 14th Sep 2007

Councillor Peter Rush and Wera Hobhouse get stuck into improvements in Queens Park in Heywood.

Proud residents are celebrating after a prestigious national green flag was raised over the Memorial Garden in Rochdale. Councillor Wera Hobhouse was joined by council staff and members of the local friends group as the flag was hoisted into position earlier today.

The flag is one of three awarded to the council this year. It means that the park is recognised as among the best green spaces in the country. Two further flags fly above Queen's Park in Heywood and Hare Hill Park in Littleborough.

Cabinet member for Environment and Sustainability, Councillor Wera Hobhouse said: "This is the first green flag to fly in Rochdale township and it just goes to show what can be done with a bit of vision, ambition and team work. Everyone involved with the Memorial Garden has made a huge effort and I would like to thank them for really making a positive difference. We have a park to be proud of and intend to build on this success in the future."