CWMCARN Forest will add a prestigious green flag to its growing collection of accolades.

Representatives of Gwent’s mecca for mountain biking and ‘glamping’ will be awarded the honour by minister for environment and sustainable development John Griffiths at this week’s Royal Welsh Show in Llanelwedd.

The award recognises a commitment to maintaining and managing the natural environment, green open spaces and habitats.

While three parks in Caerphilly county, including Waunfawr Park, Crosskeys, have previously been awarded green flags, no country park has been given the honour before.

At the Royal Welsh Show, green flags will be given to Cwmcarn Forest and Parc Cwm Darran, near Bargoed.

The award crowns an extremely successful year for Cwmcarn Forest Drive, which has a four-star campsite offering ‘glamping’ or glamorous camping pods, walking and mountain bike trails.

Last year we reported how it is now Gwent’s biggest single attraction, with nearly 200,000 people visiting annually.

At the time, the general manager Mike Owen said it has been “transformed’ into a “flagship visitor destination”

for the area since a new visitor centre was opened in 2007.

Caerphilly councillor Ken James said the award recognises the “fantastic open spaces” on offer to walkers and mountain bikers, with Cwmcarn Forest Drive featuring a café, lake and picnic and barbecue areas.

It is a notable success for Caerphilly county, which is made up of more than 75 per cent countryside.