The awards are given to top-quality outdoor spaces

Barry Island seafront is just one of the sites managed by The Vale of Glamorgan that have won Green Flag status.

Judging body Keep Wales Tidy has given 10 sites maintained by the Council Green Flag status, the mark of a top-quality outdoor space.

Of the 22 Councils in Wales, including city authorities Swansea and Newport, only the much larger Cardiff has managed more than that total.

Romilly Park, Alexandra Park and Windsor Gardens, Barry Island Seafront and Friars Point, Belle Vue Park, Central Park, The Knap Gardens, Victoria Park, Gladstone Park, Cosmeston Country Park, Porthkerry Country Park all received the accolade.

Elsewhere in the County, Barry Town Council-maintained Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery also gained a Green Flag, while 13 sites received Community Awards.

These include: Goldsland Farm, Lanlay Orchard, Barry Community Garden, Birchgrove Woodlands, Little Hill Brock Street, Nightingale Garden, Wenvoe Wild Orchard, Cwm Talwg Local Nature Reserve, Elizabethan Orchard, Old Hall Gardens, Upper Orchard Field Wenvoe, Wenvoe Community Orchard, Welsh Orchard Wenvoe.

Cllr Peter King, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services and Transport, said: "With local lockdown restrictions in place, our outdoor spaces are more important now than ever before and I'm extremely proud that here in the Vale we have so many top-quality green areas for residents to enjoy.

"Given our resources compared to other authorities, to gain so many Green Flags 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.

"I would like to add special thanks and congratulations to the volunteer and community groups who have also been recognised for their dedication and ongoing 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."

Green Flags are awarded in recognition of a location's excellent visitor facilities, high environmental standards and a commitment to delivering great quality green space.

In total, 224 parks and green spaces across the country have received the prestigious Green Flag Award and Green Flag Community Award – 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 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 said: "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 well-being.

"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 on the Keep Wales Tidy website