A GROUP OF Towy Valley traders are teeing-off plans to take advantage of one of world of sport's greatest showpieces arriving in Wales - despite the fact there is still a fairway to go until the 2010 event!

Llandovery's Chamber of Commerce has decided to attract visitors, already in Wales for the Ryder Cup in Newport, to the town after losing patience with Carmarthenshire Council's below-par' efforts to bring in tourists.

With the town just one-and-a-half hours from the Celtic Manor cup venue, traders are optimistic they can attract wives and girlfriends in Wales for the trip - but not the golf.

Chamber chair Hilary Hunt said discussions were already under way on how to appeal to golf fans' WAGs and said a battleplan would soon be drawn up.

"People will be able to get here from Newport in 90 minutes," she said. "We feel as though the area is a completely different side of Wales to what they will see there.

"We're sure the partners of people coming over for the golf will be looking for something to do and, hopefully, they will consider coming to the town."

While nothing has been finalised, it is believed activities like a wild west spectacle, already planned for this month's carnival, will be par for the course.

Whatever happens, traders are adamant Carmarthenshire Council will show little, if any, interest.

"They listen, but they don't hear," said Ms Hunt, whose trade has slumped by 40% since car parking charges were introduced.

"The council is not interested in small market towns, so we have to take it out of their hands."