Almost £1 million has been invested in community facilities across Carmarthenshire.

The UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund Sustainable Communities programme has awarded funding to several projects to develop their community facilities in readiness for holding events this Christmas.

The fund is investing in facilities from community centres to market halls.

Hendy has a brand-new community centre, and Llanboidy Market Hall has received major refurbishments, making the venue fully accessible.

Smaller projects have been provided with new equipment to enable them to host Christmas events.

Llanedi Community Council has been working hard over the past few years to create a new community facility, Canolfan Gwili, which will serve the people of Tycroes, Llanedi, Hendy, and Fforest.

The new community centre boasts a café and a spacious activity hall, fully equipped with lighting and an advanced audio system, making it ideal for a diverse range of events, from Christmas fairs to concerts.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, culture, leisure, and tourism, Councillor Hazel Evans, said: "It is great to see that the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund is enabling communities to refurbish facilities across the county in time for Christmas.

"It is important that our locality takes part in social activities throughout the festive period so individuals feel as though they are part of a wider community."

Other projects supported by the fund include Llandovery Youth and Community Centre, Pontyates Miners Welfare Hall, The New Bethlehem Chapel in Pwll-Trap, Canolfan Carwyn, Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust, Llanelli and Mynyddmawr Railway, and the Gwili Railway.

The money has helped to make the venues brighter, provide new appliances, improved the cafes and train carriages and a new platform. With both railway projects, there will be chances to visit Santa.