The park is the only Scottish site on the list at this year’s Green Flag Awards Best of the Best ceremony.

Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB) presents Green Flag Awards, under licence from Keep Britain Tidy, in recognition of the best parks and green spaces across Scotland.

Provost Margaret Cooper said: “I am delighted that all the effort that the park staff put in year after year is being recognised again this year. All their hard work is really appreciated by the whole community who take advantage of the park for a whole range of activities as well as just coming along to relax and enjoy these wonderful surroundings”

A Green Flag is awarded to parks and green spaces that demonstrate excellent management and environmental standards.

Barry Fisher, Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, who attended the unveiling of the banner at the park, said: “It was a real privilege to come along here today. It is very clear to me why this park is in the top 10 year after year.

“It is a tremendous community asset – in the brief time I have been here today I have seen primary children out exploring the park, dog walkers, a walking group, young families and so many more people out enjoying this wonderful green space.

“It really is a place for community enjoyment.”

Strathaven Park was developed from two small parks which are seamlessly joined to form the one; the John Hastie Park, which stretches from the town towards the bowling and putting greens and including two football pitches and tennis courts, and The George Allan Park which has a boating pond, a miniature railway that was laid out by the Strathaven Model Railway Society in 1949, and a 120-year-old cast-iron bandstand.

With boating on the pond, a putting green and plenty of space to relax, the park is a much-loved area with local schools using it as a facility for games, sports days, recreation and education.

John Crawford, the council’s Amenity Services Officer, said: “The council would like to thank everyone involved in making the park such a success, from the management to the maintenance, all the volunteers who organise events, and all the park users who have voted once again to reflect their feelings and place Strathaven in the top 10 in the UK for the eighth year in a row.”

Keep Scotland Beautiful encourages everyone working or volunteering in a green space to consider the Green Flag Award as not only a way to highlight excellent standards but also gain advice and support from peers through the judging process.

Visit Green Flag Award | Keep Scotland Beautiful for more information.