Gloucester has been awarded Purple Flag status for the third successive year.

The accreditation is awarded to towns and cities which have a safe and welcoming nigh-time economy.

Gloucester City Council leader Councillor Richard Cook said: "I'm delighted that that once again we are able to say we're a Purple Flag destination.

"A lot of work has gone into this by a wide range of partners across the city all and I'd like to congratulate them for their success and in making Gloucester a great place to visit both day and night."

The status is based on criteria which includes:

• Wellbeing - Successful destinations are safe and welcoming with everyone playing their part in delivering high standards of customer care.
• Movement - Getting home safely after an evening out is important, as is the ability to move around the centre with ease.
• Appeal - Successful destinations offer a vibrant choice of leisure and entertainment for a range of ages, groups, lifestyles and cultures.
• Place - Successful areas are alive during the day as well as the evening with a blend of overlapping activities that encourage people to mingle and enjoy the place.

Council officers, police, Amey, Gloucester Licensed Victuallers' Association and the Gloucester BID worked on the application which is repeated annually.

Councillor Dawn Melvin, cabinet member for Economic Recovery and Growth, said: "This has been a difficult year for businesses in our fantastic city and something like this recognises how hard they work to make visiting and shopping in Gloucester an award winning experience.

"I'd like to remind people that it is Shop Local Week and by supporting local businesses who have all brought in lots of measures to keep us all safe, it supports the local economy, jobs and our in turn our local community."

Cheltenham has held Purple Flag status for the last four years.