Crossword Genius

Brilliant beaches -- makes an effort to include parking and flag (5,3,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stars and stripes

'flag' is the definition.
(Stars and Stripes is an example)

'brilliant beaches makes an effort to include parking' is the wordplay.
'brilliant' becomes 'star' (I've seen this in other clues).
'beaches' becomes 'sands' (I've seen this before).
'makes an effort' becomes 'tries'.
'to include' indicates putting letters inside.
'parking' becomes 'p'.
'tries' enclosing 'p' is 'tripes'.
'star'+'sands'+'tripes'='STARS AND STRIPES'

'and' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for stars and stripes that I've seen before include "Standard" , "indications of rank" , "American flier" , "The US flag" , "indicators of military rank" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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