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WALLINGFORD'S biggest public open space - the 35-acre Castle Meadows alongside the River Thames - has won south Oxfordshire's first Green Flag award as one of the best green spaces in the country.

The land is home to water voles and Wallingford School pupils have made otter holts to encourage the return of the aquatic mammals. It is a haven for butterflies and moths, and has a number of important trees and shrubs.

The meadows are owned by South Oxfordshire District Council and managed by the Little Wittenham-based Northmoor Trust.

Wallingford mayor Alec Hayton said: "I am really delighted to hear the news - the award is richly deserved. There couldn't be a better reward for all the hard work that has gone on down there by the district council and the Trust.

"The site has been worked on by the Green Gym and the result has been to make the meadows a very special place for Wallingford.

"People are now using it for picnics and general recreation as well as enjoying the increasing wildlife.

"There are wonderful views of the Thames and the remains of Wallingford Castle.

"I certainly congratulate everyone involved because the Green Flag is a very prestigious award."

Among the volunteers working on the Meadows have been youngsters from Wallingford School. Other schools go for nature walks.

Site warden Loretta Waters said: "We have put in otter holts and coppiced some of the ditch area to encourage and make a home for water voles. Our work is to make the whole thing more wildlife-friendly and our volunteers have done a wonderful job to help us achieve this Green Flag award."

Chris Parker, of Northmoor Trust, said: "We and the district council have worked very hard and very closely together to get the meadows up to this standard, which people can enjoy freely. We have regular volunteer groups working on the land and the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers has its Green Gym, where people combine exercise in the open air with positive conservation work."

Bill Service, district council cabinet member for leisure, said: "Protecting and enhancing the local environment is one of the council's priorities and we have all worked hard over the last few years bringing the site up to the standard expected by the Green Flag judges.

"The award is a testament to all the hard work by staff and, more importantly, to the huge effort put in by local volunteers who care passionately about the site.

"It could not have been achieved without the many local volunteers who help us out week after week, come rain or shine. Alongside other work, we recently completed a project to provide a new entrance gate and restore an historic linkage between two major parts of the castle site."

Any public green space is eligible for the annual award from the Civic Trust.

9:00am Friday 25th July 2008

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