A NUMBER of locations in the Vale of Glamorgan have been awarded the Green Flag award.

Given by Keep Wales Tidy, the Green Flag awards recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council is one of the top performing local authorities in Wales for Green Flag spaces.

This year, Cosmeston Country Park in Penarth and Porthkerry Country Park in Barry both received the accolade.

Meanwhile in Penarth Green Flags were also given to:

  • Alexandra Park;
  • Belle Vue Park;
  • Windsor Gardens.

While in Barry Green Flags were given to:

  • Barry Island seafront;
  • Central Park;
  • Friars Point;
  • Gladstone Gardens;
  • The Knap Gardens;
  • Romilly Park;
  • Victoria Park.

Parks must apply every year for the award and, if they recieve it, then they can fly a green flag for 12 months.

The news that Cosmeston have again recieved the award might strengthen resistance to the plans to build a large amount of homes and infrastructure nearby.

Deputy leader and cabinet member for sustainable paces, Cllr Bronwen Brooks said: "I’m delighted to see that the Vale’s green sites have once again been recognised with so many accolades.

"Green spaces are vital for our mental and physical well-being, as well as being an opportunity for our communities to come together.

"The Green Flag award is all about connecting people with these spaces.

"This is a truly remarkable achievement and testament to the hard work put in by our parks staff and volunteer and community groups.

"The standard needed to be awarded Green Flag status is extremely high and a great deal of effort is put in to ensure Vale residents have access to fantastic outdoor spaces."