A SOCIETY set up to protect and promote the Cambrian Mountains has written to the Welsh Government asking it to consider giving the area protected National Park status.

The Cambrian Mountains Society has written to Welsh Government ministers asking them to consider giving protected National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty protection to an area.

Llanidloes is the first town on the River Severn – the UK’s largest river – and one of the gateway towns to the Cambrian Mountains including Rhayader and Llanwrtyd Wells.

Peter Foulkes, acting chairperson, said: “Over the last few months, with the coronavirus making such a huge impact on the people of Wales one thing that has become apparent is how much we all value our countryside and how much we have missed not visiting it.

“As Wales now starts to resurface from the pandemic this is the time to celebrate its glorious landscapes and what better way to do this than in designating a new AONB or NP – The Cambrian Mountains.

“Not only would this acknowledge the natural beauty of the Cambrians but It would also be a major boost to the economy of the area and its necklace of small towns such as Tregaron and Llanwrtyd.”