Chelmsford City Council is pleased to announce that its bid for Chelmsford to be reaccredited with the prestigious Purple Flag Award has been successful. To celebrate, the Council is giving you the chance to win a comedy night out.

The Purple Flag accreditation scheme recognises excellence in the management of town and city centres at night. It aims to raise the standard of the night-time economy and shows recognition of Chelmsford as a safe, enjoyable place for a night out.

Similar to the Blue Flag for beaches and Green Flag for parks, the Purple Flag has a set of criteria which must be met. To be reaccredited, Chelmsford had to show that it is welcoming to everyone, offers safe ways for visitors to travel home, provides a good mix of venues and is appealing in the evenings.

To raise awareness of this accreditation and to celebrate the city's night-time economy, a Purple Flag Weekend will be held on 7-9 October. Shire Hall will glow with purple light each night and a floor projection of the Purple Flag will be displayed in the busiest area of the High Street.

Those who are out and about in Chelmsford could win two tickets to see comedian Jeremy Hardy at the Civic Theatre. Just use #purplechelms to tweet a selfie in front of a Chelmsford landmark or night-time venue to be entered into the prize draw!

Councillor Ian Grundy, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, said, "Since first receiving the Purple Flag in 2013, we have constantly sought to improve and build on the city's night-time economy. We have worked closely with local venues, the police and voluntary organisations to provide a network of support enabling the city to have a fun, safe, thriving nightlife. Please join us in celebrating the city after dark with your photographs and tweets."

For more information about the scheme, visit www.chelmsford.gov.uk/purple-flag.