Diss could be set for a tourism boost later this summer after a bid was made for a Green Flag Award at its historic park.

Judges visited Diss Park last week following the application by the town council for the prestigious benchmark. Diss Town Council made the application at the turn of the year and will find out if they have been successful in July.

A Green Flag Award is a benchmark of excellence in recreational green areas in England and Wales and parks are judged on how welcoming, safe, clean, sustainable they are and conservation and community involvement.

Deborah Sarson, Diss town clerk, said they hoped to be flying the green flag later in the year, if the application is successful. She added that the status would inject some added pride in the town.

'It is something we can sing about and it would prove that we manage the park responsibly and have high standards. We are conscious of users needs and work together with other bodies to resolve issues in the park.

'It is about the management of the park, sustainability, disabled access and our plans to improve the park. We talked to the judges about the problem with blue-green algae in the mere and what we are doing to address it,' she said.

The visit of the Green Flag judges comes as work began on new play equipment in Diss Park.

The existing swings are being replaced and a separate bay containing a basket swing, which can be used by both disabled and able bodied children, is being installed. In addition, a roundabout has been added, which will be ready for children to use in time for the Diss Jubilee celebrations.

A Diss Park friends group was established last year to help oversee and deliver improvements to the green space. Locally-based television and radio gardening expert Bob Flowerdew agreed to be patron of the Friends of Diss Park. A survey of 200 users found that people from as far afield as Norwich, Ipswich, Cambridge, Essex and London visit the park.