VOLUNTEERS who have helped put some of the Vale of Glamorgan's best kept green spaces in contention for national awards have been praised for their hard work.

A six week volunteer initiative launched to get people volunteering in parks and open spaces across the Vale was organised by the the Vale of Glamorgan Council, in conjunction with Vale Fireflies, earlier this year.

Three Vale parks have recently been nominated for the Fields in Trust UK's Best Park award – a public vote which includes nominations from across the country.

Victoria Park is one of those put forward for the award, and lead gardener Mike Parsons has heaped praise on their two regular volunteers, Callum and Dawood.

Callum, 23, volunteers once a week at Victoria Park, while Dawood, originally from Syria, has been volunteering three days every week for the past several months.

Mr Parsons said: “The guys are doing a great job. We really appreciate what they do and we want to thank them for everything. There is a great sense of community spirit here.”

Cabinet member for social care, health and leisure, Cllr Gordon Kemp said: “It is wonderful to see park volunteers enjoy maintaining the parks. From meeting the teams and seeing what they do every day, it is important that they are recognised for their ongoing hard work.

"Thank you to the gardeners and volunteers for everything they do, and I hope this can encourage more people to become involved in improving the community."