TWO Bracknell parks scooped prestigious gold awards from the Royal Horticultural Society earlier this month.

Jocks Lane Park and South Hill Park won gold awards in the Parks and Open Spaces category of the Thames and Chilterns in Bloom campaign, a regional round of RHS Britain in Bloom.

South Hill Park was also awarded an RHS National Certificate of Distinction, an award given to only a few areas across the country.

Cllr Iain McCracken, Bracknell Forest Council's executive member for culture, corporate services and public protection, said: "I'm delighted that the Thames and Chilterns in Bloom judges have officially recognised Jocks Lane Park and South Hill Park as gold standard parks.

"We're very lucky to have such a fantastic array of parks and open spaces in the borough for all our residents to enjoy."

In July, Thames and Chilterns in Bloom judges Kate Dagnall and Pete Thompson visited the two parks and were impressed by the range of facilities at Jocks Lane as well as the quality of the flowers and gardens on display while South Hill Park's restoration funded by the Heritage Fund and National Lottery and cleanliness saw it marked highly.

Fifteen Bracknell Forest community groups received Thames and Chilterns in Bloom It’s Your Neighbourhood awards. This campaign encourages communities and neighbourhoods to work together to improve their local environment, using gardening as a tool. Jealott’s Hill Community Landshare (JHCL) in Warfield and Warfield Grow and Share based at JHCL site received Outstanding awards, the highest accolade.

Allan Moffat, chair of Bracknell in Bloom and Bracknell Town Council’s recreational facilities manager said: “I’m thrilled that so many Bracknell Forest community groups took part in It’s Your Neighbourhood and did so well.”

“I hope their success encourages more community groups to enter next year’s campaign and get involved with Bracknell in Bloom.”