Burton’s Branston Water Park has picked up its fifth consecutive Green Flag at the prestigious awards ceremony last week, while the Kingfisher Trail has also maintained its flag for the second year running.

East Staffordshire’s Mayor, Councillor Geoffrey Morrison, and Mayoress, Mrs Pauline Morrison, will be on hand to raise the 2009 flag at Branston Water Park on Tuesday, July 28th, along with representatives from the Kingfisher Trail who will receive their new flag to fly at the Dallow Lock site.

Councillor Morrison said: “The popularity of Green Flags is growing every year and more and more they are being recognised by people as the national standard for green spaces and people are travelling further to visit these award-winning sites.

“I am very pleased that both Branston Water Park and The Kingfisher Trail have retained their flags for another year and congratulations to the Council team and all the volunteers who put so much work into maintaining these sites for their communities.”

Branston Water Park is a small nature reserve just off the A38 or the Trent and Mersey towpath. The lake - with its reed beds, woodland and meadow area - offers a vital haven for wildlife and for people needing to relax, or study the abundant wildlife.

The Kingfisher Trail, a community led initiative to maintain and protect a green corridor running alongside the Trent and Mersey canal also provides an excellent educational facility for the many schools close to it. 

Community and Voluntary commitment from groups like the Kingfisher Project and Burton Conservation Volunteers, has been a vital part of making both the projects successful and sustainable, and their efforts have been supported by the work carried out by the Council’s parks and grounds maintenance staff to maintain the high standards of the Parks.