YOUNG people at a Haverfordwest youth centre have helped transform one of its rooms into a bright and welcoming space.

The Edge Youth Centre, Haverfordwest, has thanked W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd for supporting the painting and decorating project, which saw young people work alongside Chris, a painter and decorator from the company.

The project has given the room a colourful refresh, creating a cheerful space for young people using the centre.

Rabart Decorators Merchants, Pembroke Dock, also supported the work by supplying the colourful paints.

A spokesperson for The Edge Youth Centre said: “We’d like to extend a huge thank you to W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd for supporting us with the painting and decorating of one of the rooms at our Youth Centre.

“The young people were fortunate enough to work alongside Chris, a painter and decorator from W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd, to transform the room.

“Thanks to Chris and the young people’s hard work and enthusiasm, the space is now looking bright, welcoming, and cheerful.

“We’d also like to thank Rabart Decorators Merchants, Pembroke Dock, for generously supplying the colourful paints. Your support has helped create a vibrant room that young people can enjoy for years to come.”

The centre added: “Thank you both for your generosity and for helping us create such a positive space for our young people.”

Photo caption: Bright new look: Young people worked alongside W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd to refresh a room at The Edge Youth Centre, Haverfordwest.

A PARLIAMENTARY committee is to hold an oral evidence session into the impact of metal mine pollution in Wales.

The Welsh Affairs Committee will examine the environmental and economic legacy of abandoned metal mines as part of its ongoing inquiry into Wales’ industrial past.

Abandoned metal mines continue to cause extensive pollution across Wales. Figures from the Mining Remediation Authority show around 1,300 sites are affecting water quality and ecology across more than 700km of watercourses.

The session, due to take place on July 1, will allow MPs to gather up-to-date evidence on the scale and consequences of the pollution, as well as what is being done on regulation, remediation and public transparency.

It will also examine progress made since a similar evidence session was held by the committee’s predecessor in the last Parliament.

Ruth Jones MP, Chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee, said: “While the extraction of metals such as zinc, lead and gold was once an important part of Welsh industry, the legacy of abandoned mines now poses a serious threat to the animal and plant life of our rivers, streams and lakes, and possibly even to human health.

“Our session will be exploring the scale and consequences of metal mine pollution and whether more can be done to tackle this ongoing environmental challenge.”

Ahead of the session, the committee is inviting written submissions on the human and environmental impacts of metal mine pollution, who should be responsible for tackling it, what progress has been made in recent years, and how affected communities can be supported.

It is also seeking views on how the public can make informed decisions about any risks from metal mine pollution, and what could happen if further action is not taken.

The Welsh Affairs Committee scrutinises the expenditure, administration and policies of the Wales Office, as well as UK Government policies that affect Wales.

The committee is not part of the Government, but is a House of Commons select committee with a role in holding ministers to account.

CARMARTHENSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL repaired just over 10 potholes a day on average last year — significantly more than during the previous 12 months.

Pothole repairs rise as council faces growing road maintenance pressure

Highways staff repaired 3,623 potholes in 2025-26, compared with 2,360 in 2024-25.

The figures closely align with the number of potholes reported by the public in both years, although defects are also picked up by staff during scheduled inspections.

The council received 156 insurance claims for damage and injury caused by potholes over the last two years and paid out on five of them. The total amount paid, excluding any ongoing claims, was £8,181.

It provided the figures following a freedom of information request by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Cllr Edward Thomas, cabinet member for transport, waste and infrastructure services, said the council inspected, assessed and repaired road defects such as potholes in line with national guidance and best practice.

He said all pothole reports from the public were logged and, where necessary, assessed.

Cllr Thomas said: “Reactive pothole repairs are carried out to address immediate safety concerns. However, the council’s long-term strategy is focused on targeted, planned maintenance to prolong the lifespan of road surfaces and deliver best value across the county’s road network, while working within the available budget.”

A council scrutiny committee heard last November that the number of potholes recorded in the county soared from 1,978 in 2020 to 11,014 in 2024. The figure for the first 10 months of 2025 was 9,146.

A committee report said Carmarthenshire had the second-largest road network of Wales’ 22 councils and the fifth-highest traffic levels.

It said: “The increase in potholes is as a result of sustained low levels of investment in preventative maintenance.”

Potholes worsen in winter when water freezes and expands, causing further cracks.

Carmarthenshire is not unique in having a seemingly endless list of potholes to fix. Swansea Council repaired 6,322 potholes in 2025-26 and received 5,455 pothole reports from the public.

It also paid out £111,175 in pothole damage and injury claims during 2024-25 and 2025-26, although the number of claims paid was only a fraction of those received.