THE announcement that the pharmacy in Llanwrtyd Wells is to stay open is great news for local residents.

Not only is the pharmacy saved from closure, so local residents can continue to collect prescriptions from there, it's also set to be extended with more services and better facilities than previously. Advertisements have already appeared in the local press and on various websites for two part-time pharmacists/trainees to start by February 1.

In the meantime, current pharmacist Paul Davies, who is retiring, has agreed to continue in his role for a short while longer to ensure that medicines continue to be dispensed and so he can help with the transitional changes to the service.

Fears had emerged in November that residents could lose this vital service following the announcement of Mr Davies’ retirement, which was supposed to be at the end of the year.

Meetings were attended by Llanwrtyd Town Council and surrounding community councils, together with Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) and other stakeholders, to thrash out a solution.

Llanwrtyd Town Council announced on December 13 that the future was now looking rosier than it had before.

Llanwrtyd mayor Jim Davies attended a meeting with other local community councils on November 26, which was also attended by the chief executive of PTHB Carol Shillabeer, as well as local politicians like Members of the Senedd James Evans and Jane Dodds and a representative for Brecon and Radnorshire MP Fay Jones.