Pembrokeshire's beaches remain firmly in the premier league. For the county has again been awarded more Blue Flags than any other local authority in Wales. This year's Blue Flag Awards - the most prestigious beach award in Europe - were announced on Wednesday at Criccieth. Pembrokeshire won 11 Blue Flags - the same as last year. The county's award-winning beaches include: Amroth, Broadhaven North, Dale, Lydstep, Newgale Sands, Poppit Sands, Whitesands, Saundersfoot, Tenby Castle, Tenby North and Tenby South. The Blue Flag announcement follows news last week that the county had won 14 Green Coast Awards this year - tying with Anglesey for the most in Wales. "These 11 Blue Flag Awards are wonderful news for Pembrokeshire," said Clr. Rob Lewis, Pembrokeshire County Council cabinet member for tourism and leisure. "We have always known that we have top quality beaches in Pembrokeshire and the awards we have been given year after year confirm it. "To have 11 beaches worthy of Blue Flag status is a recognition of all the hard work that we, and other agencies, have done to achieve this. "Our beaches help make Pembrokeshire one of the best places in Britain to spend a holiday." This year, Wales as a whole is boasting a record 44 Blue Flag beaches and five marinas, with Gwynedd winning 10 awards and Ceredigion seven. The prestigious European Award, which is run in Wales by Keep Wales Tidy, takes into account 29 criteria, including bathing water quality and beach facilities such as public toilets and lifeguard provision.
Success for Pendine
Meanwhile, across the border in Carmarthenshire, Pendine, the historic land speed setting beach, is to join the premier league of beaches. Carmarthenshire County Council executive board member for leisure services, Clr. Clive Scourfield, said: "We are delighted to win the prestigious Blue Flag for two of our beaches, Pendine and Cefn Sidan, this year. "This will be the 15th time in 18 years that Cefn Sidan, Pembrey Country Park, has attained this honour, over which period it has consistently been ranked at the top of the table of Wales' visitor attractions. "It is a glorious first time Blue Flag honour for Pendine Beach, which already has a worldwide reputation for its history of breaking land speed records. "Carmarthenshire has a relatively small coastline considering its size, but now we are able to fly the prestigious flag over the beaches that cover much of its length. "It reflects great credit on the hard-working council staff because the beaches are critically judged against a total of 29 criteria before they are able to fly the flag." Council parks manager Neil Perry said: "The Blue Flag is the culmination of a lot of hard work by all Pendine Beach and Pembrey Country Park staff each year. I feel it is just reward for all their efforts." The county council and Pendine Community Council have worked in tandem to attain Blue Flag status at Pendine and both organisations hope that this is the first of many Blue Flag awards for the beach. The county council is also planning to get lifeguards in place at Pendine during the main school summer holidays.