During ‘Love Parks Week’ I’ve been for a stroll through what I consider to be a hidden gem of our constituency, Doxford Secret Garden. It’s a wonderful place for families to explore, and my dog Maisie has enjoyed our walks there!

Our parks and green spaces have been a vital lifeline to many of us during lockdown, with natural spaces benefitting mental health and wellbeing.

However, our green spaces have been under immense pressure. On average, an extra 57 tonnes of litter were collected by local authorities during the first lockdown alone.

As we head into summer, it’s important to be considerate when using our parks and protect our natural spaces.