A NEW flagpole has been put up just inside the entrance to Alexandra Park as it has been awarded a national Green Flag Award.

The gardening team who keep Penarth’s Parks and open spaces so beautiful were proud to raise their first Green Flag on the flagpole.

This year Penarth has justly regained its old title “the Garden by the Sea” as its town parks have been awarded accreditation in the nations Green Flag Awards for 2014/15 for excellence in parks.

Alexandra Park, the Windsor Gardens and the Esplanade “Italian Gardens” have now joined the much loved Belle Vue Park and become Green Flag winners.

There are eight main criteria which parks are judged on including tidiness and cleanliness, horticultural quality and interest, heritage, community involvement, safety and caretaking, through to marketing, signage and sustainability.

Jon Greatrex, parks and open spaces officer, said: “I’m overjoyed for Mike Scott and the team, they put a lot of work into making the town's parks look good and this is a great recognition of that.

"I hope we can build on this success in future years and make the parks even better.

"There is no better place than a park to come and get away from the hustle and bustle of urban life, and we have some of the best in the country. Come and enjoy!”