Newtown and Llandrindod Wells are set to receive a share of a £1.5 million pot to regenerate town centre properties by the Welsh Government.

Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Hannah Blythyn has announced £1.5m of Welsh Government funding for a new £2.14m 'Town Centre Property Investment Fund' across Powys and Ceredigion councils.

The fund will bring vacant commercial, residential and retail space back into use across six Mid Wales towns, with money also earmarked for Brecon, Lampeter, Llandysul and Tregaron.

Hannah Blythyn said the fund would create "opportunities out of empty properties".

"We want to support local businesses, grow our fantastic town centres and create job opportunities in Mid Wales. Creating more good quality commercial and retail space will help with this, as will creating homes in the centre of our towns, so people can live and work centrally and contribute to the local economy.

“This fund will help to create opportunities out of empty properties and attract more people to our town centres. I look forward to seeing some exciting refurbishments, and businesses growing and prospering across towns in Ceredigion and Powys as a result.”

A Freedom of Information request submitted by the Liberal Democrats in January 2018 revealed there were over 1,800 properties in Powys which had been empty for at least six months.

The government says the funding is part of it's "Targeted Regeneration and Investment" programme, which it says is providing £100m of capital funding across the country over three years to support regeneration projects in town centres and neighbouring areas.

The fund will be provided via a package of support including loans, private investment and grants.

Member for Regeneration Councillor Martin Weale at Powys County Council, who will manage the administration of the programme said the move provided a major boost for the areas earmarked.

“We are committed to making sure our town centres are attractive, vibrant places for people to live, work and visit. Today’s news will provide a major boost for the individual towns and support their local businesses," he said.

“The funding will also support our wider aspirations to strengthen the whole economy by stimulating regeneration work and building upon the many major investment projects that the council has in progress and is planning across Powys. The council’s regeneration team are hard at work on these projects and the first point of contact for anyone interested in the scheme.”