A PARK which is home to Essex University has retained a top accolade.

Wivenhoe Park has been voted as one of the best ten in the country at the People's Choice Awards for the second time.

As well as housing the university since the 1960s, it has also been painted by Constable and is home to wildlife including rare bees, moths and spiders.

There are 2,800 trees, three lakes, a frisbee golf course and 30 acres of sports fields.

Prof Lorna Fox O'Mahony, deputy vice-chancellor said: “Wivenhoe Park provides an amazing resource for staff, students and the local community.

"This year, we celebrated a third successive win in the Green Flag Awards and to follow this with a second year in the People’s Choice top ten – the only university to receive this award once again – is an unbelievable achievement.

"Our thanks go to those who took the time to vote for Wivenhoe Park and to our amazing Grounds team, whose incredible work, year round, makes our campus such an inspiring place to work and study.”

Green Flag Award winning parks are chosen on their environmental standards, level of maintenance and visitor facilities.