TWO parks in Colchester have been shortlisted in a set of awards as a charity is set to crown the best in the UK.

Highwoods Country Park alongside Castle Park have been recognised as some of the best in the county in the competition.

The Fields in Trust is a charity with more than 90 years of experience protecting parks and green spaces.

They work with landowners, community groups and policymakers to champion the value of parks and green spaces, to achieve better protection for their future at both local and national level.

Since 2015, the charity has held annual competitions to find the UK's Favourite Parks.

The first winner was first crowned in 2015 and the title has been handed out to three parks from across the UK.

The UK's Favourite Parks is a two phase award and now nominations have been completed, the public are being invited to vote for their favourite.

A charity spokesman said: “Our local parks have acted as a refuge for so many of us over the past few years and now is our chance to celebrate the spaces that gave us so much in our time of need.

“Is your local park a special place on the doorstep to get outdoors, move, relax, play, meet with loved ones and more? Is your favourite park the UK's favourite? Vote now.”

As well as the two in Colchester, elsewhere in north Essex, the Halstead Public Gardens and White Colne Meadows were also recgonised, alongside another ten from mid Essex.

Voting is now open and will close at noon on Thursday, August 18.

To vote, visit bit.ly/3O4qzA0.