A Cobham park has been given Queen Elizabeth II status after receiving hundreds of votes from residents.

Cobham Recreation Ground was given the title, which guarantees it protection as a green space, in honour of the Queen’s diamond jubilee and the London 2012 Olympics.

The initiative, known as the QE2 Fields Challenge, was backed by a number of high profile figures including Prince William. It gave communities the opportunity to vote for their favourite green spaces.

The recreation ground got almost 300 votes, putting it ahead of the other sites nominated by Elmbridge Council: Churchfields, Coronation, Long Ditton and Molesey Hurst parks.

The council plans to celebrate its success with a special event at the beginning of June 2012.