Disused tennis courts in Cwmllynfell, Neath Port Talbot, have been transformed into a multi-use games area and skate park thanks to Welsh Government funding of over £87,000.

'Parc Cymunedol Llynfell Community Park', which also features a zip slide, was developed following an extensive discussion with local children and young people and was made possible thanks to strong collaboration between the Welsh Government and other partners.

Project managed by Cwmllynfell Community Council, the park received £87,222 through the Welsh Government's Aggregate Levy Fund and £50,000 through WREN (Community Landfill Fund). Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and Cwmllynfell Hall also provided support, with some materials provided by Cwm Nant Lleici Quarry.

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First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "The new play park is a great example of collaborative working and community engagement, with local people, the Welsh Government and many other partners working together to make a positive change to this community.

"The Welsh Government's regeneration framework contains a vision that everyone in Wales should live in well-connected, vibrant, viable and sustainable communities with a strong local economy and good quality of life. Projects such as this one contribute to this vision and I congratulate the entire team involved on their hard work."

The original park was a legacy of Cwmllynfell's industrial heritage, with miners contributing from their weekly wages to provide and maintain welfare facilities. The decline of heavy industry meant that the park fell into disrepair, but Cwmllynfell Community Council took positive action to improve the facilities for young people in the area.

(CD/JP)