Haringey Council has clashed with charity Keep Britain Tidy after Finsbury Park was once again given the worst possible rating by an inspector.

The council’s cabinet member for environment said she had “concerns” about recent inspections after a mystery shopper report gave a damning verdict on the park – and suggested major events were causing damage.

Finsbury Park was temporarily stripped of its green flag status following a visit from Keep Britain Tidy, which oversees the award scheme, in October.

Haringey Council responded by carrying out improvement work, and the green flags were later re-flown.

But the park was once again rated red – meaning it does not meet the award standard – after a follow-up visit on December 21.

The follow-up report concludes: “Not only does the park not fulfil even the basic demands of the Green Flag Award, it is far below the standards even the most understanding of the general public should be demanding.

“An exceptionally depressing and worrying experience all round.”

The inspector highlighted a “major concern in the children’s play area”, claiming little or no protection was provided while maintenance work was taking place.

The report states that repair work carried out on children’s play equipment was “poorly executed and of very low standards in terms of finishes and aesthetics”.

It adds: “The entire park is in desperate need of an infrastructure overhaul, with paths and roadways in poor condition leading to the need for everyone to take care where they are walking.”

Other problems flagged up in the report include waste on the floor of the toilets next to the café, graffiti, a build-up of litter and an apparent lack of safety equipment.

The council previously claimed events such as Wireless Festival were not to blame for the suspension of the park’s green flag status.

But the December inspection report states: “The events held in the park each year, and the day-to-day usage of the site, cause damage in the short, medium and long term.”

The council is currently locked in a dispute with Keep Britain tidy over the status of five other parks that were rated red by inspectors.

Cllr Kirsten Hearn, cabinet member for environment, cast doubt on the ratings given by the charity.

She said: “We want a constructive relationship with Keep Britain Tidy and value the Green Flag scheme – we signed up to it voluntarily to celebrate our parks and to ensure that we are keeping them to the highest standards.

“However, we do have concerns about the recent inspections and are asking Keep Britain Tidy for clarity on how the scheme is delivered.

“We are not saying our parks are perfect – we know there is work to do. But we are incredibly proud of Haringey’s green spaces and certainly do not feel that, following the round of improvements we have made, these parks are anywhere near the ratings suggested.

“Working together is the best way to ensure our parks continue to be a success.”