PICTURES: Stunning Staffordshire park in running for award

Hidden behind a motorway, Hatherton Reservoir is home to an array of wildlife, including waterfowl, swans, buzzards and coots.

It is no surprise it has been nominated as one of 17 parks nationwide for the Fields in Trust UK's Best Park awards.

The charity's annual awards ceremony in December will celebrate the great work being done in parks and playgrounds across the UK.

And this year, for the first time, the voting will be done entirely by the public who have until November 25 to cast their votes.

Hatherton Reservoir sits alongside the M6 Toll Road and is maintained as a refuge for the local community following the development of the toll road.

The area has been landscaped by the M6 Toll company as part of the local rejuvenation and picturesque woodlands surround the reservoir.

Amanda Milling, Member of Parliament for Cannock Chase said: "I am absolutely delighted that Hatherton has made it to the final.

"With Cannock Chase on our doorstep it is easy for the smaller parks to be overshadowed but Hatherton has shown it can punch well above its weight winning a nomination to the final."

Paul Woodhead, from the local Green Party added: "I urge everyone not just to vote for Hatherton but to visit it and enjoy it.

"We want the council to invest in our countryside estate to promote the health and well-being of the Staffordshire residents and visitors as well as conservation for future generations. It is ours to enjoy, not theirs for profit."

He added two more Staffordshire parks Apedale Community Park and Deep Hayes Country Park were also on the awards shortlist.

The awards vote follows publication of Field in Trust's national survey, which revealed almost of all of people questioned agreed that parks and play areas should be protected from development.

More than 80 per cent said they felt so strongly that they would be motivated to campaign against a park loss.

To vote for the reservoir, visit www.fieldsintrust.org.