People from across Wales will be able to get hands on experience of pottery and other crafts after plans were approved for a £2m training centre in Carmarthenshire.

The national centre, which will be built in a disused market building in Llandeilo, will be a focal point for pottery enthusiasts.

Under the scheme the old food market will be turned into an educational facility with shops, and studios.

There will be places for 12 trainees each year as well as evening classes for amateur potters and international exhibitions.

It is hoped the project will create the equivalent of 20 full-time jobs.

 

Funding for the project will now be sought from sources including the Welsh Development Agency, Arts Council for Wales, Education Learning Wales (ELWa) and the Wales Tourist Board.

 

Joe Finch, a potter from Cardigan, started the trust which carried out a feasibility study for the centre.

He said: "I've been a professional potter for 35 years and realised there is a shortage of young potters in Wales.

"If you're properly skilled then there is a good living to be made in Wales and a good quality of life.

"But training to be a potter takes a lot of time and there aren't many places where you can do it.

"Our aim is to make Llandeilo as synonymous with pottery as Hay on Wye is for books.

"The building is perfect for our requirements and Llandeilo is a perfect location, with a railway station, close to the motorway and major tourist attractions."

A limited company has now been established to run the centre and a board of directors has been appointed.