Connaught Gardens could become the Best Park in the UK

Connaught Gardens in Sidmouth is in the running to be awarded the title of UK's Best Park.

Connaught Gardens faces stiff local competition from two gardens from the Exmouth area, Hillcrest Community Nature Reserve and Manor Gardens, as well competition from further afield.

More than 360 parks and green spaces across the UK have been nominated and voting is now open for UK's Best Park 2019, run by Fields In Trust.

UK's Best Park was first awarded in 2015 and has already handed out the title to three parks from across the UK but so far no parks from the South West have won the title.

Connaught Gardens's entry on the official website states: "This is a beautiful award-winning park that has something for everyone all year round. The gardens are well known in Sidmouth to both locals and tourists for its beautiful location on the cliffside."

A spokesman for Fields In Trust said: "UK's Best Park is a two phase award. Firstly, we invited you to nominate your favourite local park. Any publicly accessible local green space was eligible to be nominated and all you needed to do was tell us a bit about why it is so special to you as well as attach a photo. Nominations ran until noon on Monday, July 1, 2019.

"All eligible nominated parks now progress to a public vote to find the winner. Voting opened at 9am on Friday 5th July 2019 and close at noon on Monday 19th August 2019. At close of voting the parks with the most votes in each of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be shortlisted.

"The overall winner of UK's Best Park 2019 will be announced in mid-September at the conclusion of our 'Summer of Parks'."

If you would like to vote for your favourite park, click the red button below.