Housing, Regeneration and Heritage Minister Huw Lewis was on Barry Island to announce funding of over £500,000 for eight projects in the Barry Regeneration Area.

The Minister was visiting Barry Island Lifeguard station where St John’s Ambulance and the Order of St John have been awarded £58,000 towards a refurbishment project that will include a new kitchen, shower, training room and first aid room at the building that they share with the Whitmore Bay Surf and Lifesaving club.

Other projects to receive funding include:

•Pencoedtre Park, which has been awarded £200,000 for improvements, including turning the paddling pool into a splash pad and renewing the play area and lighting. The project has been developed in consultation with the Gibbonsdown Residents Board.

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•A wheelchair accessible boat at Barry Yacht Club at the Knap to allow people with disabilities to experience sailing, which has been awarded £22,500.

•A mobile interactive sensory floor which provides stimulating light and sound images and motion detection system for people with severe disabilities. The project, which has been awarded £9,500, is designed to promote movement to develop muscle tone and trigger mental interaction to improve memory, understanding and cause & effect skills.

•A community garden at Barry Waterfront, which has been awarded £17,000

•An extension to Barry Rugby Club’s clubhouse, which has been awarded £80,391 to allow the club to meet the demands of the local community for a community facility.

Two other projects have been also been awarded funding totalling £126,500 in principle, subject to confirmation that match funding has been secured.

Announcing the funding the Minister said: "I am delighted to announce this funding for so many worthwhile projects in Barry. The variety of projects, both in terms of location and in the nature of the projects show just how much Barry has to offer and how the Welsh Government is helping to ensure both residents and visitors get the most out of the area's resources."

(CD/GK)