A park has been named as the best in central England.

Staff and councillors have been celebrating after Garth Park, in Bicester, won the London and Central England region in Britain’s Best Park 2009 awards.

Judges from the competition visited earlier this year and were looking for an attractive, clean, accessible and safe park that was park of the community.

Garth Park ticked all the boxes, and Bicester’s mayor, James Porter, said: ““Garth Park is the jewel in our green crown and I pay special tribute to the professionalism, skills and dedication of the town council’s staff who work tirelessly to keep it pristine and a joy to visit no matter the season.”

Head gardener Brian Corcoran, who has worked at the park for 20 years, said: “It was fantastic news.

“For a small area it is very well used and very well known.

“There are things there for everyone, from the oldies to the kids playing football or using the skate park.

“It’s the premier park in Bicester and I think the people of Bicester are very proud of it.”

In 2008 Garth Park won the Best Large Park in the Thames and Chilterns in Bloom regional awards.