Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Clr. Mickey Folland, was 'delighted' to hear this week that 10 of the county's beaches will be flying Blue Flags after achieving the highest standards of bathing water quality and beach management.
After hearing yesterday's (Thursday's) announcement that Amroth, Lydstep, Newgale, Poppit Sands, St. David's Whitesands, Saundersfoot, Tenby Castle, Tenby North and Tenby South had been awarded the prestigious accolade, Clr. Folland, whose electoral division is Tenby South, said it was good news for local people and visitors alike.
"For Pembrokeshire to have 10 of the 33 Blue Flag beaches in Wales is a marvellous achievement," he commented.
"With the season underway, this is a tremendous boost just at the right time."
In addition, a number of the county's beaches have also won Green Coast Awards. They are Abereiddy, Barafundle, Broad Haven South, Caerfai, Manorbier, Marloes, Martins Haven, Penally, Sandy Haven, St. Brides and West Dale.
Announcing the awards at the Blue Flag award-winning beach at Rest Bay, Porthcawl, Welsh Assembly minister for environment, planning and countryside, Carwyn Jones, said: "This is wonderful news for Wales. These awards show the quality that Wales has to offer, and prove that our beaches and marinas can compete with the very best in Europe.
"The fact that so many beaches in Wales have attained the highest standards says a great deal for the excellence of our coastal environment. At 33, this year's results are a record, beating the previous record set last year when 26 resort beaches received this award.
"I am also delighted to see that a record 44 beaches in Wales have won the Green Coast award this year.
"Many of our rural beaches achieve the highest environmental quality and deserve recognition for their cleanliness and unspoilt beauty. I am delighted that the commitment made by local authorities and others to ensuring that beaches are kept scrupulously clean is being acknowledged in this way.
"Wales' coastline is a major asset to our tourism industry, and so delivers considerable economic benefits. The recognition that so many of our beaches are receiving can only enhance Wales' reputation as a wonderful destination for visitors.
"Today's news comes in the wake of record breaking achievements for bathing water quality announced last year, where for the first time all of our identified bathing waters in Wales met European mandatory standards and a record 83 per cent met the much tougher guideline standards."