SOUTHEND’S parks and gardens have won Anglia in Bloom awards.

Judges were impressed after a tour in July of gardens in Marine Parade, Leigh, Prittlewell Square, Prittlewell Chase, Our Lady of Lourdes School, Leigh, the Trust Links Growing Together Project, Southend, as well as Priory Park and Belfairs Park.

The result was an Anglia in Bloom gold award, which celebrates the best parks and open spaces in the region.

Project 49, based in Alexandra Street, Southend, which hasbeen running since spring 2012 for people with learningdisabilities, alsowon thebest garden for special needs award.

This came after Chalkwell, Belfairs, Priory and Southchurch parks won prestigious Green Flags, awarded by the charity Keep Britain Tidy.

Speaking of the gold award, Denis Lloyd, the council’s green space development officer, said: “Judges commended us forgoodfloraldisplaysand grass verges, recycling and environmental projects in particular.