THREE of Llandrindod Wells' sports stars have teamed up with the town's iconic Metropole Hotel and Spa.

The famous hotel, a landmark and well known institution in the town, is sponsoring athlete Heidi Davies, rugby player Keira McCosh and footballer Katie Christopher in 2019.

Mountain runner Davies, who has received support from the Metropole for a number of years, praised the hotel for its support during a testing time out through injury.

"I have made the transition from junior to senior athletics, but have suffered from an injury for the last six months," said Davies. "In this time of no running, it has been fantastic to use the Metropole pool to keep my fitness levels up.

"I am looking forward to getting back to full running fitness, and am excited about what 2019 holds."

Davies' season begins with a trip to Colorado for training in April before preparing for a challenge to make the cut for the European Mountain Running Championships in Zermatt in July 2019 and the World Championships in Patagonia in November 2019.

McCosh plays for Liverpool-based side Firwood Waterloo Ladies at championship and now premiership level rugby.

"My hopes are to continue to progress under Waterloo’s new head coach," said McCosh who has returned from her own eight-month injury lay-off with a dislocated knee.

"I am starting to play some of my best rugby," said McCosh. "I’m hoping to continue improving and enjoying playing with my club, working hard to reach what would be a childhood dream of representing them on an international level for a full senior cap."

Meanwhile Christopher is a graduate of the town's thriving junior girls set-up and is currently goalkeeper for Cheltenham Town Ladies having also represented Aberystwyth Town in the Welsh Women's Premier League.

Christopher is the daughter of Julie Christopher who set up the girls club after becoming frustrated at the lack of girls football opportunities in the area.

“I played for Llandrindod Wells boys for four years until my my mum set up a girls only football club," said Katie. " The club started with just four players and now has more than 70 girls signed and is still run by my mum.

"During my time at the girls club, I represented South Powys, Powys Schools, Central Wales Performance Centre and attended Welsh Trials.

" When I was 15, I started training with Aberystwyth Ladies FC who were in the Welsh Premier League, this was a massive achievement for me, and when I turned 16, I made my first appearance in senior football in the highest league in Wales.”

Justin and Judy Baird-Murray, of The Metropole, both keen marathon runners, are keen to encourage fellow athletes.

"It’s very important to feel supported and encouraged, particularly during periods of injury when problems can seem insurmountable,”said Justin Baird-Murray.. “We are looking forward to seeing what 2019 brings for these three promising sportspeople."