COMMUNITY groups are celebrating retaining a prestigious Green Flag in Dovercourt.

The Harwich Society and schoolchildren helped Tendring Council to maintain Cliff Park on the seafront.

The park is well-used by residents and a great deal of work has been carried out to plant new trees and other plants in recent years.

Cliff Park has kept its Green Flag from Keep Britain Tidy for 2018, along with three other sites in the district.

The flag was raised on Saturday with some of those groups represented, along with members of Harwich Town Council.

Michael Talbot, Tending Council’s councillor responsible for environment, said it is very important for volunteers to play a part in the parks’ upkeep.

“It is one of the criteria for the Green Flag awards and without these people’s efforts, we would not be successful,” he said.

“Cliff Park is one of those sites where volunteers of all ages help out and it makes such a difference. It helps the community to take responsibility for the area along with the council and take pride in the park.”

Tendring Council also has Green Flags at Crescent Gardens, in Frinton, Weeley Crematorium Gardens and Clacton Seafront and Gardens.

Anyone wanting to join the volunteers should call the council on 01255 686643.