BLAENAU Gwent Council is urging people to vote for their favourite landmarks in the county in a Wales-wide National Trust competition.

The National Trust Wales is holding a vote to find five of Wales’ most “special places” and votes are now open for the five categories: parks and gardens, historic buildings, quirky and urban places, glorious coastline and wild open spaces.

Bedwellty House in Tredegar and Ty Ebbw Fach in Six Bells are handing out voting slips to members of the public in a bid to get Blaenau Gwent’s top spots recognised.

The 20-metre high Guardian sculpture, commissioned in 2010 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1960 mining disaster in Six Bells which killed 45 men, is seen by some as one of the area’s top sites to visit – and suggested as an entry for the quirky and urban places category.

Mike Kelly, of Six Bells Regeneration, said: “As you walk along the path, the peace and tranquillity of the location is the first thing to strike you, then the stories of that day in June 55 years ago and finally the imposing figure that manifests itself before your eyes.

“A visit to the site is such an unforgettable experience, it is a very special place and the memory will stay with you forever.’

Also suggested as one of the county’s special places are the towers at Nantyglo Roundhouse, the last private castle or fortified residences built in Britain.

Local tourism Green Badge guide Eifion Lloyd Davies said: “They are a stark reminder of the conflict between the Ironmaster and his workers.”

Veronica Branovic, Eastern Valleys Living Landscape Manager, picked the Silent Valley as the site getting her vote.

She said: “This unique woodland is a magical place to visit, it changes so much each season.

“The ancient beech trees provide a dramatic backdrop of fresh green leaves in spring turning to vibrant orange in autumn. In May the woods are filled with Bluebells.”

Manager of Bedwellty Park, Cath Hares, said the park has “always been my special place since I was a child, it is a true jewel in the Valleys crown”.

Voters can vote for each of the five categories and can pick up voting slips from Bedwellty House or Ty Ebbw Fach or vote online at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales.

Voting opened last month and lasts until Tuesday, July 14. The five category winners will be announced on Monday, July 20.