HEATON Park has been officially named as the best park in the North West.

The park was one of hundreds entered into a national competition to find Britain's best park, and was named as one of nine regional winners from across the country.

Parks were judged by horticulturalists and journalists.

The country's winning park was Saltwell Park in Gateshead, which won a mower worth almost £4,000.

Competition organisers Briggs and Stratton are looking for entries for the 2006 competition. For more information visit www.britainsbestparks.co.uk.