Staff at Neath Port Talbot’s popular Margam Country Park have been congratulated after the attraction retained its prestigious Green Flag Award this year.

As well as meeting the high standards needed to receive the coveted Green Flag Award, the park is also one of only seven sites in Wales to be accredited as a Green Heritage site.

This is a title given to green spaces that, in addition to achieving Green Flag Award standards, demonstrate they also understand, identify, manage and promote the elements of their heritage that make the site unique.

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

It is judged by green space experts, who volunteer their time to visit applicant sites annually, assessing them against eight strict criteria, including horticultural standards, cleanliness, environmental management, conservation and community involvement. The Green Heritage Award is endorsed by Cadw.

Neath Port Talbot Council Leader Cllr Rob Jones accompanied by Cllr Peter Rees, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Culture, visited Margam Country Park to pass on their congratulations to staff.

Cllr Rees said:

“Members of staff here have worked very hard to win this award yet again which means the park not only meets Green Flag standards it means those things which make the park unique and iconic in terms of national heritage are being maintained.”

Margam Country Park is hoping to gain yet another accolade this year – by being voted among the UK’s top 10 favourite green spaces!

Keep Britain Tidy is behind the competition, the UK’s People’s Choice Award, which aims to find the UK’s favourite green spaces in which to relax and unwind.

Whether you enjoy visiting a park or green space to play games, walk the dog, exercise or simply get away from the hustle and bustle, if you think your favourite deserves to be in the top 10 People’s Choice then cast your vote.

All you have to do is go to Keep Britain Tidy’s website –  www.greenflagaward.org/award-winners/ and find your favourite green space on the map and click the voting button. Once you’ve registered your vote, why not encourage others to get involved too through social media using the hashtag #PeoplesChoice. Voting opened on September 1st and closes on September 30th, with the top 10 sites being announced on or around October 16th.

Cllr Rob Jones said:

“It would be fantastic if the many visitors to Margam Country Park could support it by voting for it to be in the top 10.”