A historical landmark in the Towy Valley has been given a blue plaque to mark its significance.

The members of the community at Cynghordy, near Llandovery, met earlier this month to celebrate the unveiling of the marker at the iconic Cynghordy viaduct.

The structure forms a key part of the Heart of Wales railway line.

Llanfair-ar-y-Bryn community council funded the plaque, which was revealed at the event by Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru MS for Mid & West Wales.

The ceremony was overseen by Llandovery county councillor, Handel Davies.

Representatives from Network Rail and Heart of Wales Line Development Company and council members were also in attendance.

The 18-arch curved viaduct, finished in 1868 and built by Scottish railway engineer Henry Robertson, has been a landmark on the Heart of Wales Line route between Swansea and Shrewsbury.

The viaduct gained a Grade II listed status in 1966.

Mr Campbell said: "It was an immense privilege for me to unveil this plaque at what truly is one of Carmarthenshire and Wales’ most spectacular hidden gems.

"To think this engineering marvel was built over 150 years ago is truly remarkable, and it continues to be such a treasured landmark on the renowned Heart of Wales Line for so many visitors and locals – a lasting testament of the remarkable achievements of those who came before us."

The plaque is the first of its kind for Cynghordy and joins a range of historical honours celebrated in the surrounding Llandovery area.

Noteworthy examples include blue plaques commemorating Vicar Prichard, The Bank of the Black Ox and The Tonn Press, and the William Williams Pantycelyn sculpture in Llandovery.

Mr Davies said: "I’m extremely grateful to Llanfair-ar-y-Bryn community council for funding this signage, and to all who came to see it unveiled.

"The son of a railway worker as a ‘Cyw Cynghordy’ I was born and raised in the shadow of the viaduct in Cynghordy, it means so much to me to see this iconic structure, a terrific feat of engineering appropriately recognised.

"The plaque and information will be a welcome addition to the area, helping educate local residents and visitors alike for generations to come about the history of the viaduct."

The occasion also enabled celebration of the walking trail information board placed beneath the viaduct, courtesy of Llandovery Town Council.

Several similarly installed boards along walking paths in the locality promise to promote the area’s rich local history.