AN ENVIRONMENTAL group in St Asaph will receive an award for its efforts to look after the city's natural habitat.

The Afon Elwy Environmental Group (AEEG) who look after St Asaph riverside has been chosen for the Green Flag Award by Keep Wales Tidy, the environmental awareness and preservation charity for Wales, for its work in looking after the river and riverside in St Asaph. The awards, run in conjunction with the Welsh Government, aim to recognise and reward well-managed parks and green spaces, and set a standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces.

The AEEG has carried out a series of improvements to the riverside, including the planting of tree saplings, bluebells and daffodils, hedge cutting and the setting up of bird and bat boxes. The group has also worked alongside Natural Resources Wales (NRW), who have funded a wooden sculpture of a dipping bird to be erected later this year.

David Iorwerth Roberts, secretary for AEEG said: “We are very proud and pleased to receive the award. We have tried to make the place attractive to residents and visitors.

“Receiving the award is a tribute to the dedication and hard work of all the members.”

The group was established in 2003 and has 15 members who undertake various projects in conjunction with NRW, St Asaph City Council, Denbighshire County Council and other bodies.

The award will be presented to AEEG at a ceremony presentation in Conwy on Thursday, August 9.

For more information on AEEG or to join, contact Mr Roberts on 01745 582627. For more information on the Green Flag Awards visit www.keepwalestidy.cymru/