YSTRADGYNLAIS Town Council has funded new equipment to be used by hospital patients - and reiterated its desire to keep the building open.

Councillors have agreed to a £300 grant as well as donating £200 from the chairman's allowance to fund additional kit for hydrotherapy machinery installed recently at Ystradgynlais Hospital.

Town council chairman Canon Islwyn Davies said: "The equipment they want costs a total of £2,800 so, as well as our annual donation, we have decided to give the hospital an additional £200 from my allowance."

Councillors used the cheque presentation to voice their concern over the continious threat of closure of the hospital - although these fears have been played down.

"This is such a wonderful hospital and patients who stay there really feel at home," said Canon Davies.

"Another great thing about a place like this is that it is so friendly.

"When I come here to have a chat with the patients they are forever telling me that they know the mother or the grandmother of all the nurses.

He added: "Patients who are admitted here leave with nothing but praise for the place."

A hospital spokesman thanked councillors for their generosity and said the money would make a big impact on the lives of patients.

"We are grateful for the money given to us by the town council and for its members' continuing support," he declared.

"This new equipment will help many patients to have greater benefit from their hydrotherapy treatment."