Six green spaces and conservation areas along the Lea River have been awarded the highest ‘gold’ accolades in this year’s London in Bloom Awards.

Two “very different” sites have even been judged “the best in London” — Tottenham Marshes conservation area and Waltham Abbey Gardens.

The areas are looked after by volunteers and park staff working for the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority.

“These awards are a tribute to our volunteers and staff who maintain these important sites,” the park authority’s Shaun Dawson said.

“We have two ‘best in London’ overall winners at two very different open spaces — one a large expanse of grassland and wildflower meadows and the other a walled historical garden that show the variety of landscapes in the regional park.”

Volunteers restoring the Leabridge wetlands filter bedsVolunteers restoring the Leabridge wetlands filter beds (Image: LVRPA)

Other Lea Valley sites receiving ‘gold’ awards were Bow Creek Ecology Park between Canning Town and Blackwall, the WaterWorks Centre nature reserve in Leyton, Walthamstow Marshes conservation area and Gunpowder Park at Waltham Abbey.

The ‘gold' awards follow the park authority getting nine Green Flag awards and a Green Heritage award in July.