ONE of the district's best-loved beauty spots has retained its prestigious Green Flag status.

Waltham Abbey Gardens has been granted the English Heritage-sponsored award for the fourth year in row.

Green Flag sites are given their status following a visit by Keep Britain Tidy and the award recognises commitment in areas including health and safety, cleanliness and maintenance, sustainability, conservation and heritage.

The Abbey Gardens, behind the Abbey Church, in Highbridge Street, are listed as one of the most prestigious sites within the Lee Valley Regional park which now has eight areas with accredited Green Flag status.

Park Authority director of leisure and environment Vivien Blacker said: “This sustained success is the result of a great deal of hard work from our dedicated staff and the feedback will allow us to strive for continuous improvement and the very highest standards across all our sites and venues”.