A BEACHSIDE green space has been awarded a Green Flag for the 11th year in a row - but this year was its most important to nearby residents.

The Ffrith Common Land Park in Prestatyn has was named on the Green Flag Community Award list by Keep Wales Tidy, the environmental charity for Wales following the work of volunteers to maintain good environmental standards and a quality green space during the coronavirus pandemic.

The award is given to volunteer maintained green spaces that are freely accessible to the public and meet good standards in areas including landscape management, cleanliness, biodiversity and environment, and encourage community involvement.

Lucy Prisk, Green Flag coordinator for Keep Wales Tidy, a Welsh Government partner, 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 success of Ffrith Common Land Park is a testament to the volunteers who have maintained excellent standards under the most challenging circumstances this year.”

Ian Lifford, chairman of the Friends of the Ffrith, said: “I wish to thank community volunteers who have worked tirelessly throughout the year to maintain and enhance the bio-diversity of the area in partnership with the local authority.

“Despite the pandemic, members managed to continue their valuable work whilst strictly observing Covid-19 rules and guidelines. The park proved a welcoming and safe refuge for people of all ages to exercise during lockdown.”

Nearly 130 community green spaces were awarded this year, meaning that Wales holds a third of the UK’s community Green Flag sites.