Carmarthenshire County Council's (CCC) plans for revamp Llanelli have been handed £13.5m by the Welsh Assembly Government.

Nearly £3m of European Regional Development Fund cash and £4.5m Targeted Match Fund support is to go towards a number of schemes in and around the town. The cash will be used to help complete projects at the North Dock boulevard and the Pump House plaza, along with an eco-park and historic interpretation of Machynys Mound.

An estimated £60m is to be invested in Llanelli town centre over the next five years, with CCC contributing £1.9m and Llanelli Coast Joint Venture providing £2.7m. Additional funding has also been made available by private sector partners (£1m) and the Welsh Assembly Government Safe Routes in Communities programme (£500,000).

Welsh deputy minister for regeneration Jocelyn Davies said: "Improving the physical appearance of a town will increase the confidence of potential investors, support the retail sector and boost the pride of people within the local community who will benefit from an attractive environment in which they can live, work and thrive."