A community garden in Dartmouth has been recognised with one of the UK's highest honours for parks and green spaces after being awarded a prestigious Green Flag Award.

The Dartmouth Community Garden and Greenhouse, located on the town's riverside, has received the Green Flag Community Award, making it the only community garden in Devon to achieve the award this year.

The award, presented by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces and recognises sites that are welcoming, well-maintained and managed to a high standard.

Dartmouth Green Partnerships (DGP), the charity behind the garden, said the recognition reflected the dedication of its volunteers.

Stevie Rogers, representing DGP, said: "The Green Flag Award is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces. Winning it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team of volunteers.

"Dartmouth is the only community garden in Devon to win the Green Flag Community Award, which recognises quality sites managed by voluntary and community groups."

The award comes as the Green Flag scheme celebrates its 30th anniversary.

Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, praised DGP volunteers saying: "Dartmouth Green Partnerships have shown what can be achieved when parks are properly supported and managed. As we celebrate 30 years of the Green Flag Award, we want every community to have access to green spaces like this that are safe, welcoming and maintained to a high standard."

Managed by Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Green Flag Award recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces across the UK and internationally.

Dartmouth Green Partnerships is a charity dedicated to enhancing the town's public spaces through horticulture, environmental awareness and community involvement.

Throughout the year, its volunteers maintain the community garden and greenhouse while also creating the colourful floral displays that have become a familiar feature across the town of Dartmouth.

These include hanging baskets, floral boats, planters and riverside troughs, which line the waterfront and town centre each season. The displays have previously earned Gold Awards and are intended to make the town more attractive to both residents and visitors.

The charity says the displays rely entirely on volunteer support and donations, with sponsorship opportunities available for a range of planting projects, from nest boxes and hanging baskets to year-round floral containers.

DGP is always on the lookout for donations to help fund displays and continue maintaining the high standards recognised by the Green Flag judges.

Those wishing to support the charity can donate or sponsor individual planting schemes.

The latest award marks another milestone for the volunteer group highlighting the important role community organisations, like DGP play in creating and maintaining green spaces that benefit both residents and visitors.

To find out more about Dartmouth Green Partnerships or to get involved, visit their website.