GLASGOW is blooming lovely and it's not only the people who live here who think so.

The city's parks have come out on top in the distribution of Green Flags. And areas in Greater Glasgow have also won praise.

Two parks in Lanarkshire have won Green Flag awards for the first time. And 11 other have held on to the awards they picked up last year.

The award, which is given to quality green areas, is administered by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful.

Parks are assessed by volunteer judges who usually have a background in parks management, conservation or ecology.

Derek Robertson, chief executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: "This is great news for Glasgow and the West of Scotland and a sign of the continuing hard work taken to keep local parks at such a high level.

"We are very proud of the local authorities and the local volunteers who work all year round in rain and shine to make sure more and more parks win the Green Flag.

"All over Scotland, people are caring for their towns, cities and green spaces.

"Local people are raising the bar and making their communities great places to live in."

The two new Green Flag award winners are Burngreen Park in Kilsyth, North Lanarkshire and Cambuslang Park in South Lanarkshire.

Kenneth Wilson, North Lanarkshire's head of environment and estates said: "Burngreen Park is a jewel and we are delighted to see our efforts at making it an attractive and enticing visit recognised.

"We have invested a lot of time and money to keep the park looking as good as it does.

"There are plenty of activities for children who can let off steam on the trampolines or cycle round the bicycle park, where we have bikes and helmets for hire and there are all the traditional sports and games you would expect such as putting, tennis, table tennis and a football pitch.

"And if visitors would rather not do much but soak in the surroundings, we have really nice picnic areas."

Hamish Stewart, chairman of South Lanarkshire's community services committee said: "To be awarded the Green Flag is a fantastic accolade for Cambuslang Park.

"The green flag status will be really great for the town and for our staff who have worked so hard together with the local community to improve the look and feel of the park.

"Congratulations to everyone involved. We have an excellent working partnership with emphasis on community involvement and we would not have achieved this award without the efforts of all concerned."

The parks which held onto their awards are Pollok Country Park, Glasgow Green, Bellahouston Park, the Botanic Gardens, Kelvingrove, Linn, Queens and Hogganfield Parks in Glasgow, Rouken Glen Park in East Renfrewshire. Straven Park in South Lanarkshire and Dalmuir Park in West Dunbartonshire.

Pollok is the city's largest park and is home to the world famous Burrell collection and an award winning herd of Highland cattle.

Kelvingrove, which was created in 1852, sits next to Glasgow University and Kelvingrove Art Gallery, straddles the Kelvin and boasts the newly refurbished bandstand.

Glasgow Green is the city's oldest park and features the Doulton Fountain, the People's Palace and Nelson's Column.

Bellahouston is the location of House for an Art Lover and offers bowling greens and an Alice in Wonderland maze.

The Botanics boasts the Kibble Palace and an extensive tropical plant collection.

Linn is the second oldest park in the city and has an 18-hole golf club and an outstanding range of wildlife and plants.

Alistair Watson, the city council's land and environment spokesman, said: "I'm delighted eight of our best loved parks have been recognised with this prestigious award.

"Glasgow is rightly famous for its array of parks spread throughout the city and they play a large role in the lives of many ­Glaswegians and visitors.

"The award reflects brilliantly on the efforts of the council. All eight parks have fantastic facilities which I'm sure will continue to attract many people - especially when the weather is good!"

vivienne.nicoll@eveningtimes.co.uk