Beauty spot Three Cliffs Bay in the Gower peninsular yesterday had its coveted 'Blue Flag' status withdrawn after officials complained that the view of the bay was 'spoilt' by the presence of a blue flag fluttering on the seashore.
Beach staff were told to lower the flag and hide it somewhere as the sight of it was an 'eyesore at odds with the natural beauty' of the bay.
Council staff were said to be disappointed at the ruling, but hoped the move would lead to the beach being designated an EU 'Flag Free Zone', and be eligible to display the official pennants.