STAFF at Aberystwyth University are celebrating after Penglais Campus became the first university campus in Wales to achieve the Green Flag Award.

Members of the university’s estates development team were joined by vice-chancellor Prof April McMahon and Alaw Ceris from Keep Wales Tidy to raise the Green Flag on the University’s Penglais Campus last week.

The Green Flag Award is a UK-wide partnership, delivered in Wales by Keep Wales Tidy, with support from Natural Resources Wales, and is the mark of a high-quality park or green space.

It is judged by green-space experts who visit applicant sites and assess them against eight strict criteria, including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability and community involvement.

A record-breaking 110 parks and green spaces in Wales have met the high standard needed to receive the Green Flag Award or the Green Flag Community Award this year.

Director of estates development at Aberystwyth University, Mark Taylor said: “It is pleasing to see the hard work of everyone involved rewarded, in particular our grounds team, and the university estate recognised as a safe, green and enjoyable space for students, staff and visitors. "