THE winners of this year's Green Flag Award have been announced.

Keep Wales Tidy has unveiled that eight areas in Wrexham have retained their Green Flag Status, which is an international mark of a quality park or green space.

Acton Park, Alyn Waters Country Park, Bellevue Park, Ponciau Banks Park, Ty Mawr Country Park and Wrexham Cemetery, along with community award winners Maes y Pant and Plas Pentwyn, will all be flying their flags for the next 12 months.

Flags are awarded for areas that have excellent visitor facilities, high environmental standards and commitment to delivery great quality green space.

Cllr David Bithell, lead member for environment and transport, said: "It’s a remarkable achievement for all the areas who have retained their Green Flag Status during such challenging times.

"I would like to say thank you to everyone involved as we are in local lockdown these areas are of even greater importance as people are choosing to visit in order to exercise and to take in the beautiful landscapes we have here in Wrexham."

A total of 224 parks and green spaces across the country have received the prestigious Green Flag Award and Green Flag Community Award, which range from country parks and formal gardens, to allotments, woodlands and churchyards.

The Green Flag Award programme is delivered in Wales by environmental charity, Keep Wales Tidy, with support from the Welsh Government.

Independent green space experts volunteered their time in early autumn to judge applicant sites against eight strict criteria, including biodiversity, cleanliness, environmental management, and community involvement.

Lucy Prisk, Green Flag coordinator at Keep Wales Tidy, added: "The pandemic has shown just how important high-quality parks and green spaces are to our communities.

"For many of us, they have been a haven on our doorstep, benefitting our health and wellbeing.

"The 224 flags flying this year are a testament to the hard work of staff and volunteers who have maintained excellent standards under the most challenging circumstances.

"I’d like to congratulate and thank them all for their outstanding commitment."

A full list of award winners can be found via https://www.keepwalestidy.cymru/cy.