East Devon District Council has retained Connaught Gardens' Green Flag award for the 18th year in a row.

The award is an international mark of quality for parks and green spaces, and is managed by the environmental charity 'Keep Britain Tidy' under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Councillor Geoff Jung, EDDC's portfolio holder for Coast, Country and Environment, said: "EDDC has been working extremely hard to make its parks as beautiful as ever but to reduce our carbon footprint as well.

"We have been concentrating more on putting in perennial plants that come back bigger and better every year, not only making the gardens look more stunning but also helping our bees and insects thrive, encouraging wildlife and nature to prosper.

"This saves labour, reduces the need for watering and reduces costs long run, and continues the council's commitment to both the climate change and biodiversity emergencies."

It is also the 17th year in a row the award has been given to Exmouth's Manor Gardens and to Seaton Wetlands, and is the second year for Seaton's Seafield Gardens.

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