The people of Watford can now proudly say their town is home to one of Britain’s favourite parks, according to a recent poll.

Cassiobury Park was named among the country’s top 10 favourite parks in Keep Britain Tidy’s 2017 “People’s Choice” poll.

This year’s poll was the most popular ever with more than 70,000 people casting their vote to decide the nation’s best loved green and open spaces.

Cllr Peter Taylor, Watford’s deputy mayor, said: “Cassiobury is the jewel in Watford’s crown – an amazing beauty spot with a lot of history behind it.

“This year we have celebrated the outstanding results of our decision to enhance Cassiobury. With support from the Heritage Lottery and Big Lottery funds, we have invested £6.6 million in the improvement programme, and it is great that this has been recognised by park visitors.

“With the new Cassiobury Park Hub, state of the art paddling pools with exciting splash pool and water features, a refurbished bandstand now back in its original home, and a packed programme of activities all year round, it is not hard to see why the park is a top 10 destination.”

Earlier this year, Keep Britain Tidy awarded a record-breaking 1,799 Green Flag awards to the nation’s best-managed parks and green spaces. 11 of these Green Flag winners were in Watford – a record number in Hertfordshire.

John Priestley, horticultural development manager at Veolia, which maintains Cassiobury on behalf of the Watford Borough Council, said: “We are absolutely delighted to hear that so many people voted for Cassiobury Park. Being named one of 10 most loved parks in Britain is a wonderful achievement.”