Cwm Col-Huw Beach in Llantwit Major is now recognised as a designated bathing area by Welsh Government.

Shared Regulatory Services (SRS) on behalf of the Vale of Glamorgan Council made the application to Welsh Government to designate Cwm Col-Huw Beach in Llantwit Major as a bathing water location.

Between May and September 2021, SRS officers worked with Llantwit Major Town Council, Blue Bobbies Swim Club, Llantwit Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) to survey beach users to collect evidence of its popularity.

The beach will now be included in Natural Resources Wales' (NRW) water monitoring programme and the water will be routinely sampled and tested throughout the bathing water season, which runs from May 15 to September 30 each year.

The results of these samples will be published on the NRW website.

Miles Punter, director of Environment and Housing at Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: "It's great to see Cwm Col-Huw beach recognised as a popular bathing destination in the Vale.

"I hope that the newly-designated bathing water will attract many more visitors to enjoy the beach's astounding landscape and wildlife as we head towards summer, which in turn will benefit the community and many local businesses in Llantwit Major."

Another application has been submitted for Penarth Beach but a decision has not yet been announced.

Members of the public are also welcome to submit applications to Welsh Government regarding bathing water designations.

Click here to read more about the process.