PARKS in Barry are celebrating being awarded The Green Flag Award again this year.

Romilly Park, Central Park, Victoria Park, The Knap Gardens, Barry Island Promenade and Gardens and Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery all received the awards which were announced on Tuesday (July 18).

Nine sites were also recognised for the community award including Barry Community Garden, Birchgrove Woodlands, Cwmtalwg Local Nature Reserve, Upper Orchard Field in Wenvoe, Wenvoe Community Orchard and the Welsh Orchard in Wenvoe.

With only Cardiff boasting more Green-Flag sites and city authority Swansea coming third, the considerably smaller Vale significantly over-performed to rank second out of 22 Welsh counties.

Cllr John Thomas, leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that the Vale has once again excelled to gain so many Green-Flag parks. Given our resources compared to other authorities, this is a truly remarkable achievement and testament to the hard work put in by our parks staff.

“It is their commitment that keeps our green spaces looking fantastic all year around.

“Congratulations also to the volunteer and community groups who have been recognised for their on-going hard work.

“The standard required to achieve Green Flag status is extremely high and a great deal of effort is put in behind the scenes to ensure residents have so many fantastic outdoor areas to enjoy in the Vale.”

Judging for the awards takes place in April and May and the winners are announced in July.

Parks must apply each year to keep their award, and winning sites are eligible to fly a Green Flag for 12 months.

Parks are judged on eight criteria, including cleanliness, safety, standard of maintenance, community involvement, sustainability, management, conservation and heritage.

Lucy Prisk, Green Flag co-ordinator at Keep Wales Tidy, said: “We’re delighted to see that the number of award-winning green spaces in the Vale of Glamorgan has continued to increase.

“All the flags flying this year are a testament to the efforts of the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.

“It is thanks to them that residents and visitors to the Vale have access to so many fantastic facilities.”