CHESHIRE West and Chester Council has announced that nine outdoor recreational spaces are now safeguarded as designated Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge sites (QE II Fields).

They are: Westminster Park, Chester; Wharfe Lane Play Area, Ellesmere Port; Whitby Park, Ellesmere Port; Rivacre Valley Park, Ellesmere Port; Growzone, Northwich; Park Fields, Parkgate; Edgar’s Field, Handbridge; Shelley Road open space, Blacon; Knights Grange, Winsford.

The nine are now protected as a permanent living legacy of the Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics and Paralympics.

Cheshire West and Chester Council called for sites to be nominated by communities interested in participating.

Eligible sites were put forward for nomination and nine have been chosen by the Fields in Trust.

The initiative presented an opportunity to safeguard community facilities across Cheshire West and Cheshire that not only benefit people today but also generations to follow, securing for communities access to outdoor spaces for sport, recreation and play.

Helen Griffiths, chief executive of Fields in Trust, said: “I am delighted that Cheshire West and Chester Council has shown how much they value their community and its future by preserving their green spaces through the QEII Fields Challenge.

“Community green spaces such as these play such a vital role in maintaining a high quality of life for those around them.”

Cllr Stuart Parker, executive member for culture and recreation, added: “I’m delighted that we now have been able to secure QE2 designation for so many Cheshire West and Chester sites across the borough.

“This will ensure a much needed resource will be available for our communities both now and in the future, encouraging healthy living.”